Ari Aster’s new film “Eddington” is a poorly executed attempt at tackling contemporary politics and social issues. The movie follows a small New Mexico town as it navigates the summer of 2020, with a cast of characters including sheriffs, mayoral candidates, and conspiracy theorists.
By setting his film in this time period, Aster tries to create a menagerie of viewpoints on contemporary politics, but ultimately settles for shallow humor and clichéd jokes about the pandemic and “woke” culture. The film’s portrayal of liberal democracy is equally one-dimensional, relying on lazy stereotypes rather than nuanced commentary.
The violence that takes over the film by its end is a welcome relief, but unfortunately, it comes too late to salvage what could have been a thought-provoking exploration of modern society. Instead, “Eddington” feels like a reflection of the internet’s chaos, with Aster steamrolling deeper insights in favor of cheap laughs and shock value.
Aster’s filmography has seen its share of successes and failures, but “Eddington” is one of his weaker efforts. It fails to provide any real insight into contemporary politics or social issues, instead opting for a shallow, divisive take on the current state of affairs. While it may spark debate and discussion, it is not the kind of film that should be taken seriously.
Ultimately, “Eddington” feels like an example of how art can fail to replicate reality without adding anything incisive or insightful. It is a poorly executed attempt at capturing the complexities of modern society, and one that fails to deliver on its promise.
Source: https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/i-am-listening-shut-up