«Downsizing», where the shortened man gives way to the elongated film

Cinema Wednesdays - Jonas Follonier

A Norwegian scientist has succeeded in an experiment that will change the world: it is now possible to reduce a human being to a size of around twelve centimetres. The shortening operation (downsizing) is almost risk-free, but above all, it's a golden opportunity to save the planet! If mankind chooses to shrink, it chooses to drastically reduce the amount of waste and solve the problem of overpopulation.

Needless to say, it's not the ecological argument that's going to convince a significant number of citizens to embark on this irreversible metamorphosis. In this new society of little men, one dollar is equivalent to a thousand in the normal world. It's a world of possibilities, and an attractive life expectancy. With this remarkable idea, Alexander Payne's new film can be understood as a critique of the American way of life and consumerism, which are reproduced in the miniature world.

The film shows promise. The first thirty minutes are proof of that. Alas! The daunting task of keeping the feature film engaging throughout has failed. What could have been a cinematic work that delves into the philosophical and sociological themes of its opening scenes dissolves into the very thing the United States produces most of—and yet of the lowest quality: a good old-fashioned comedy-drama based on a boring love story. Worse still, it’s hard to follow the film’s narrative, which culminates in a truly bizarre ending where environmentalism is made a laughingstock.

And then there’s the length. Two hours and fifteen minutes in total to sit through a second half that drags on long enough to drive away even the most die-hard—or the most polite—movie buff. As critic Michel Ciment said on the show «Le Masque et la Plume,» on France Inter, «the downsizing »should have been applied to the film itself." While the initial premise is commendable, the result does not meet with our approval. That said, some viewers may still enjoy it—after all, to each their own.

Write to the author : jonas.follonier@leregardlibre.com

Crédit photo : © People on BFMTV