Downsizing (2017)

After his astonishing three films in a row, Sideways (2004), The Descendants (2011) and Nebraska (2013) it seemed that Alexander Payne could do no wrong, and seeing the premise of Downsizing, it looked odds on that he could make it four straight excellent films. Matt Damon plays Paul, an occupational therapist who along with his wife Audrey (Kristen Wiig) are financially struggling in a world that is steamrolling its way to an early grave economically and environmentally. After a scientist has invented ‘downsizing’, a procedure in which humans can be shrunk to a tiny size, many humans decide to go through with the procedure, creating tiny worlds in which to live, reducing their waste and consumption dramatically, as well as financially boosting their assets. Paul and Audrey agree to downsize, realising that they could live very comfortably- prosperously even- in the miniaturised Leisureland. The first hour of the film is superb, creating a new world before your very eyes as well as pulling you into Paul and Audrey’s lives. I was excited for them to move to Leisureland and see where the film went, but bafflingly, the film changes tone completely after the transformation takes place. I don’t want to give plot points away, but Downsizing becomes some sort of environmental drama; in no way is it a preaching tale at all, but the story ceases to be interesting which is a real problem, especially considering how strong the first hour is. Christoph Waltz provides some welcome relief as a party animal who lives above Paul, but once they leave Leisureland on a journey to Norway the film becomes plodding, and by the films’ end, I struggled to stump up any feelings one way or the other on the characters outcomes. It’s a real shame considering the promise of the idea, which is brilliantly built upon in the opening half, meaning that the lack of engagement in the second half is made worse, especially from such a sublime director. 5.4/10