Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)

When a film can manage to be absurdly silly, mind-blowingly obscure, poignantly heartfelt, edge-of-your-seat exciting, surprisingly romantic, laugh-out-loud funny, and stunningly profound all at once, what do you have? You have Everything Everywhere All At Once. 

I love it when a film lives up to its hype. 

The Daniels have made a movie that feels like they have taken the work of Zhang Yimou, Quinton Tarantino, Christopher Nolan, Ang Lee, David lynch, Greta Gerwig and mashed it all together with a little Wong Kar-Wai thrown in just for fun. Just when you think you've got a handle on what is going on, they throw you for another loop. The film evolves before your eyes, adding layers to what was built on before, until it crescendos into something that is just remarkable. 

Don't read anything about it. Just see it. 

Michelle Yeoh is a force of nature. We all knew that already but this is the sort of career defining performance that seems to do her and her talent justice. It's the sort of role that one couldn't imagine anyone else pulling it off. She commands the screen in all sorts of ways. And her pairing with Stephanie Hsu is just serendipitous. As they morph through their narrative, the climax in a powerful and beautiful moment at the end that is just heart warming. 

But the rest of the cast brings so much too. From Quan's charming performance to Curtis' scene stealing turn, the cast of Everything Everywhere All At Once bring everything to the table. 

The script is tight and layered, both telling a story that is richly satisfying but also filled with the sort of dialogue that will be come quotably classic while also being complex and textured. The film is a masterclass on making a stunning film to watch. There is just so much going on and the details even in small moments, or the background is packed full of experience. The Daniels have stuffed it full of cinematic joy. 

Yes Everything Everywhere All At Once lives up to the hype and perhaps exceeds it. Just a joy. 

Everything Everywhere All At Once 

Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, James Hong, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jenny Slate, Harry Shum Jr., Tallie Medel, Daniel Scheinert

Writers/Directors: Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert