CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.
Film Review: Matt Damon in ‘Downsizing’ Offers Few Small Pleasures
CHICAGO – “Downsizing” is an interesting premise that doesn’t ultimately go anywhere interesting. Part of the problem is that writer/director Alexander Payne doesn’t seem to know what kind of a movie he wants it to be… it’s part cerebral Woody Allen futuristic comedy, part sci-fi social satire about Midwestern malaise, and winds up failing at both.
Rating: 2.5/5.0 |
The time is the not so distant future where science has developed an innovative way to solve overpopulation – scientists have found a way to shrink people to just 5 inches tall. They remain proportional, but occupy a much smaller footprint on the planet. While small people use a whole lot less resources and help the planet, going small also allows average people to live the good life since their dollars stretch a whole lot farther. They live in planned communities full of golf courses and McMansions, under domes which protect little people from the sun’s rays.
Matt Damon is yet another in Payne’s collection of midwestern mopes. He’s a cash-strapped husband named Paul working as an occupational therapist at Omaha Steaks, after his medical school dreams got dashed when he had to drop out to help his sick mother. When an old high school classmate (Jason Sudeikis) and his wife “get small,” it inspires Paul and his wife Audrey (Kristin Wiig) to leave their old life behind and take the plunge.
Kristen Wiig and Matt Damon as Audrey and Paul in ‘Downsizing’
Photo credit: Paramount Pictures