The highly anticipated David Cronenberg’s film, starring Robert Pattinson, will be premiered today at the Cannes Film Festival.
While the movie has not had the best reception, Pattinson’s performance is admirable, his performance certainly lifts the entire film
Billionaire Eric Packer (Pattinson) rides slowly across Manhattan in his limousine that he uses as his office while on his way to his preferred barber, even though there are traffic jams. They are caused by a visit of the president of the United States and by the funeral of Eric’s favourite musician, whose music he plays in one of his two private elevators. He has recently married. In the car and elsewhere, he has meetings with his wife, who does not want sex with him, to save energy that she needs for her work. Instead, he has sex with other women. In his car, while having a meeting, he has his doctor carry out his daily medical checkup; Eric worries about the doctor’s finding that he has an asymmetrical prostate. After devastating currency speculation, he kills his bodyguard and follows a path of further self-destruction, including visiting his potential murderer and deliberately shooting himself in the hand.
Cronenberg’s new project assembled a remarkable cast, headed by Robert Pattinson in the leading role, and some of the most amazing contemporary stars, including Paul Giamatti, Juliette Binoche, Kevin Durand, Samantha Morton, Mathieu Amalric, Jay Baruchel, Emily Hampshire and Patricia Mckenzie.
World famous Howard Shore, and Oscar winner composer for the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy soundtrack, is also involved in COSMOPOLIS, as well as David Cronenberg’s regular cinematographer, Peter Suschitzky, renowned for his works in “Empire Strikes Back” or “Crash”.
On May 25, 2012, the film premiered in competition for the Palme d’Or at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, drawing mixed early critical reactions. The film was released in Canada on June 8, 2012, and is scheduled to have a limited release in the United States on August 17, 2012.
