REVIEW: Netflix's Don't Look Up is another great platform hit

It is not the first time that Hollywood works the idea of ​​a great natural disaster that devastates the earth. Other films have portrayed the same thing, with nature itself turning against us. This time the Netflix then presents his own version of a possible “end of the world” in Don't Look Up (Don't Look Up), which not only presents us with a fun comedy, with a strong cast, but also a close look at the questions of how nature can behave, which is out of our control.

Plot

Don't Look Up begins with a graduate student, Jennifer Lawrence's Kate Dibiasky, discovering a new comet. She calls her team, including Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio), to celebrate his scientific discovery. However, they soon realize that this is not just a comet. It's heading straight for Earth and it's so massive that it would lead to planetary extinction.

Kate and Randall are quickly taken to share their discovery with those who can do something about it, including US President Janie Orlean (Meryl Streep.) Accompanied by her son (and chief of staff) Jason (Jonah Hill), the duo is persuaded to sit down and assess the damage. But when there are only six months to go and even less to act, evaluation is not enough.

After a makeover that portrays Randall as a "sexy scientist", he, Kate and Teddy become part of a media campaign that encourages the world's citizens to pay attention to the sky, much to Janie's dismay. The president and her arrogant son Jason, with Janie's wealthy ally, Elon Musk-like businessman Peter Isherwell (Mark Rylance), lash out at scientists for allegedly despising ordinary people. Janie's mantra: "Don't look up."

The media as a means of disinformation

We live in a world where it's easier than ever to share our opinions. Our thoughts can be shared with our friends, family and strangers in seconds. This means that we must read points of view that we do not share. With the current political climate, the worldwide pandemic, and your regular approaches to pop culture, reading ignorant or irresponsible statements can become irritating.

To Don't Look Up, the film appears to be spending 138 minutes on your Facebook or Instagram account reading posts you fundamentally disagree with. The movie makes it all the more frustrating because the opponents are the people in power (it almost looked like the movie was set here in Brazil, you know?).

The Daily Rip, a fictional morning talk show hosted by Jack and Brie (Tyler Perry and Cate Blanchett), encourages its special guests and viewers to keep things light and fun. This theme persists among other media, political advisers and millionaires. Of course, we need to stay positive to stay sane at times. But there is a time and a place, and it may not be now.

Science versus popular belief

Scientists having their desperate pleas fall on deaf ears is nothing new. We have seen this throughout the coronavirus pandemic and during the distribution of vaccines. The movie could satirize the answer to anything proven that people have a hard time believing, but the movie was written before the pandemic and its theme is an allegory about climate change.

Director Adam McKay has been trying to write a movie on this subject for years, and this is the idea that finally came up. The worsening health of our planet is an issue that impacts all of us. However, as McKay explains in an interview, is always “the ninth story down”. Even as we acknowledge the potentially catastrophic impacts, that's rarely what we're talking about at dinner.

Thanks to your real-world commentary and analysis of global affairs, Don't Look Up it's hilarious until you remember these conversations are actually happening. We see more headlines about celebrity breakups than disasters, and political controversies follow politicians' personal lives more than their voting histories. These are the things that control our world, and all we can do is laugh to quell existential fear.

Fun despite the serious subject

I'm suspicious to speak of when it comes to watching movies and my reactions, because I usually live whatever the movie wants me to live. I feel, cry, laugh, vibrate, get scared and everything else I'm allowed. and see Don't Look Up it was a reason for loud laughter and a lot of vibration. Honestly, I can't remember laughing so hard with a movie lately.

The humor is not in the plot itself. A comet that will end the existence of our planet is no laughing matter. But the secondary characters remind us why we can laugh. There is Hill's flamboyant example of political nepotism with Jason Orlean. And then there's Timothée Chalamet, a libertarian who reminds us of high school potheads who had no ambition but a generous heart. There's even a barely-seen cameo by Chris Evans which is good reason to have fun.

At the end of the day, part of the fun is watching this movie without a clear idea of ​​where the ending is going. Will the comet destroy our world? Are the scientists wrong? Or will the government set aside their differences to solve the problem while they have the chance? Comedies are often predictable, but this is one that could go in either direction.

The Cast of Don't Look Up

Leonardo Dicaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Mark Rylance, Ron Perlman. The list goes on, only to seem more impressive with each new name. These are the cast lists you see in historical dramas or blockbusters.

Despite the film being a great satire, the all-star cast gives it their all. DiCaprio is his usual commanding presence. Lawrence is identifiable and peculiar. Streep impresses us with every step. Mark Rylance gives a terrifying but hilarious portrait of a millionaire with a lot of influence in the world. And in what might be a controversial opinion, Chalamet gives a performance that impressed me more than his leadership in Duna.

Don't Look Up arrives December 24 on Netflix.

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