Screenplay by Adam McKay - Story by Adam McKay, David Sirota
I believe when a writer is directing his own film, in the sense, a film that he has thought of as a story idea and worked for on the screenplay has more chances of it being translated well in the audio-visual form.
Don’t Look Up - Translates well to only some extent because at times the Director within Adam McKay overpowers his own written word.
Adam manages to mix up genres - Sci-Fi with social satire, knowing well that by the very nature of this mix and match, the film has the potential to go a little out of hand and fall prey to the over-imagination of the writer-director.
But, I have a feeling, it is a self-aware indulgence.
THE LOGLINE
Two astronomers go on a media tour to warn humankind of a planet-killing comet hurtling towards the earth. The response from the world: Meh
The conflict is clearly stated and the clever use of the word MEH in the Logline translates to - Expect a sci-fi, like "Back To Future" or maybe "ET" set in contemporary times.
STORY IDEA
The story idea didn’t appeal to me. It is, in many ways redundant, and appears to be Old wine in a new bottle. But what holds this paper-thin storyline is the clever writing.
Usually, I wouldn't comment on the acting and other departments of filmmaking, since I review only the script. But, Leonardo DiCaprio is simply astonishing as Dr. Mindy.
The other characters, that of Kate, President Orlean, Teddy, Brie, Peter and Jason are a tad bit cardboard caricatures. Is it intentional?
THE SCREENPLAY
The screenplay could have been a little tighter. Around 20 pages shorter.
But the writer tries hard to pack in a lot more than the characters are built to carry. That’s where the screenplay, at times, drags.
The screenplay has a checklist that aims at putting ticks on.
I believe, the film tries to aspire a bit too much.
THE DIALOGUES
The clever dialogues make it work for me. And I am willing to watch it a second time simply to catch something that I missed, especially, what is said between the lines. The best lines are the interaction between Jason and Kate.
CHARACTER ARCS
Most characters are one-note and are hardly given any time to develop, despite the length of the film.
It's like, we know where they are going to but we do not know where they are coming from.
Mindy - chooses family over media attention, public adulation and dying alone.
Kate - I don’t know! Out of the blue, finds someone to connect and love randomly at a store counter.
President Orlean - Learns a lesson. Too late.
Jason - Jason has no character arc. Instead, he has a straight line defining his character. He is like the audience. No matter what, nothing ever affects us. We don’t care. Our heads are busy looking down. This one you got it right.
WORST SCENE
The extended climax scene - Even Meryl Streep couldn’t save that scene. Absolutely unnecessary and juvenile.
I just hope it was an afterthought and not a hint of a sequel. Not needed at all.
ON THE SCRIPTOMETER
The writer aspires to make a statement on - sold-out politicians, politics, the impact of social media on our lives, climate change and whatnot.
The intent of the writer is good. The courage, admirable. But the flimsy execution does the exact opposite of what the intent is.
I want to reach the end of the film and browse for my next binge, without even bothering for a second, about the issues it tries to so desperately highlight.
GOOD SCRIPT which could have been BETTER but too long for its own good. Makes it just about AVERAGE.
NOZZER PARDIWALA
WATCH THE REVIEW HERE
*Since I review the film from the perspective of the SCRIPT alone, I may not comment on the acting, music and other aspects of the film however exceptional they may be.
Personally, I loved Jonah Hill as Jason.
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