Cannes 2012 Official Selection Preview - Cosmopolis by David Cronenberg

Thanks to the absurd huge media coverage I have to constantly remember myself that Cosmopolis is a David Cronenberg film and NOT a Robert Pattinson movie especially when I consider Pattinson a mediocre actor that his only acceptable role is as a vampire. Recently watched Bel Ami and honestly he's terrible, the only good moments the film has is when Uma Thurman and Kristin Scott-Thomas are in the screen dwarfing even further Pattinson pathetic performance. I'm hoping that maybe in the hands of Cronenberg Pattinson can deliver as from what I imagine he will be in almost every Cosmopolis scene.

No doubt that movie will make money but most viewers will come from an audience that is not familiar with David Cronenberg glorious storytelling style which trailer and film stills suggest is all over the film.

The synopsis clearly states a theme that fascinates Cronenberg; how the organic and the psychological are inextricably intertwined, society's anxieties and phobias, and letting repressed impulses and paranoia run wild. Film addresses the alarming global financial crisis of today's world; it is a hauntingly prophetic fable that turns the future into history and suggests that the archaic might be our eerie future.

New York is in turmoil, the age of capitalism is drawing to a close end. Eric Packer, a high finance golden boy, dives into a white limousine. While a visit from the President of the United States paralyses Manhattan, Eric Packer has one obsession: getting a haircut at his barber’s at the other end of the city. As the day goes by, chaos sets in, and he watches helplessly as his empire collapses. Also he is sure that someone is going to assassinate him. When? Where? He is about to live the most decisive 24 hours of his life



As you can tell my expectations are very low especially when I learned that Juliette Binoche just did 2 days filming which I translate into very little time in the screen, probably only one scene that will be glorious but too short for sure.

Obviously will watch film as Cronenberg is one of my favorite directors but can't deny that I'll break my golden rule and as soon as film reviews from reliable sources start to appear will read them, just to find if Pattison improves here or not. Sigh.

Cronenberg in Cannes

Out of his 39 films in his eclectic career, Croneberg has been in Cannes three times before. First came in 1996 with Crash in competition for the Palme d'Or and went to win the Special Jury Prize; came back in 2002 with Spider in competition followed by A History of Violence also in competition and in 2007 with his short in Chacun son Cinema (To Each His Own Cinema) that was out of competition. Also in 1999 he was the Official Selection jury president.

Cronenberg has a significant history with Cannes but I doubt this film will get more than huge attention during the fest. Only IF Pattinson delivers then film could have some opportunities to be honored.

Film specs
Directed by David Cronenberg
Written by David Cronenberg
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, Mathieu Amalric, Samanta Morton, Paul Giamatti
Language: English
Nationality: Majority Canadian (France and Canada)
Runtime: 1h 48m
Production year: 2012

End Notes
Cronenberg at Cannes go here.
Cosmopolis at Cannes official site go here.
Unifrance go here.