Downsizing
Beginning to feel the rat race wear him down, wanting to make a bold change for his wife, and looking to better the planet at the same time, middle aged Paul Safranek (Matt Damon) decides to go through the scientific process of “Downsizing” — a breakthrough procedure that reduces the mass and size of living things to a tiny fraction of their original size. Initially motivated and driven by self centered reasoning Paul’s worldview and outlook all changes when he meets humanitarian, Ngoc Lan Tran (Hong Chau), this is his story.
Directed and Co-written by Alexander Payne, this jam packed satire crams a ton of social commentary into its two hour and fifteen minute body in almost the “kitchen sink” approach of storytelling; an ambitious undertaking that feels too broad in scope. Moving from comedic tones to political subtext and commentary, Payne clearly has something to say but lacks the breviloquence to get that message out in a completely efficient manner. Supported by a cast of thoroughly entertaining talents including Christoph Waltz and Kristen Wiig, Downsizing certainly does manage to engage the grey matter of the viewer, at the very least prompting the questions “Would you ever consider being downsized? Why? And, why is it important?” Chuckle worthy, but really falling in to the category of rental, Downsizing in effect overstays its welcome and perhaps could benefit from a downsizing of its own to make for a stronger film? Downsizing is rated R.