Title: Asteroid City
Cast: Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Margot Robbie, Jeff Goldblum
Screenplay By: Wes Anderson
Directed By: Wes Anderson
FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT JASON SCHWARTZMAN, CARLETT JOHANSSON AND TOM HANKS STAR IN WES ANDERSON’S RECORD-BREAKING BOX-OFFICE COMEDY.
ARRIVING ON DIGITAL TO OWN OR RENT FOR THE FIRST TIME. BE THE FIRST TO WATCH AT HOME WHILE STILL IN CINEMAS, TODAY, JULY 24, 2023
While is continues its theatrical run, the charming comedy Focus Features’ Asteroid City starring Jason Schwartzman (The French Dispatch, The Grand Budapest Hotel), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow, Jojo Rabbit), and Tom Hanks (Elvis, News of the World) is available today, July 24, 2023 to buy or rent at home on digital platforms nationwide from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
A fictional American desert town, circa 1955. Junior Stargazers and Space Cadets from across the country assemble for the annual Asteroid Day celebration -- but the scholarly competition is spectacularly upended by world-changing events. Equal parts comedy, drama, and romance (with a touch of science-fiction) Asteroid City is a delightful movie that just nukes the competition.
Packed with humour, an eclectic cast of characters made up of all of Wes Anderson favourites, and an extraordinary alien encounter, Anderson’s signature unique visual style is evident throughout the wonderful Asteroid City.
Asteroid City showcases a star-studded, critically acclaimed supporting cast alongside Schwartzman, Johansson, and Hanks, including Tilda Swinton (Suspiria, Michael Clayton), Adrien Brody (The Pianist, The Darjeeling Limited), Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”, Trumbo), Edward Norton (Glass Onion, Birdman), Margot Robbie (Suicide Squad, I, Tonya) and Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park franchise, Independence Day).
Honestly the World class calibre of the cast bears testimony to the brilliance of Anderson – everyone wants to work with him. He’s created such incredible characters and such fantastical worlds for them to inhabit. Is there any real doubt in a time of sequels, prequels, reboots and re-imaginings that Anderson stands head and shoulders above the rest, as the foremost creative writer and director in the movie industry today and for the past two decades?
While this is an ensemble movie it really belongs to Jason Schwartzman and Scarlett Johansson who play the largest roles. And they are as brilliant as always. It’s Johansson’s best performance since Jojo Rabbit (also written and directed by another auteur in the form of Taika Waititi) They are the type of rare talented actors that are able to deliver impressive, nuanced performances and therefore ideal for Anderson’s films.
Anderson’s film aren’t always popular, even with big outlets such as the Guardian newspaper whose reviewer Mark Kermode recently trashed the film with a 2/5 star review. Great pieces of work do tend to split opinion, usually diametrically.
But then no doubt so does Kermode, personally I don’t like him and I question his film reviewing credentials. So you can believe Kermode or you can believe me. Better still, watch the film for yourself and make your own decision. I personally hope that Anderson ignores the critics and continues to create inventive and imaginative stories and characters. Whether you love them or hate them, they are original and bright, full of life, with the ability to encourage discussion and debate. That’s what film is all about.
And if you want one more reason to watch Asteroid City… if you are a fan of Pulp, you’ll hear the vocals (and original lyrics) of Jarvis Cocker over the end credits. Worth the admission price alone.
