Film Review: "Cosmopolis" (2012).

"How far can he go before he goes too far?" This is at the centre of Cosmopolis. This drama-thriller film written, produced, and directed by David Cronenberg, based on the novel of the same name by Don DeLillo. Riding across Manhattan in a stretch limo in order to get a haircut, a 28-year-old billionaire asset manager finds his day devolving into an odyssey, encountering a host of eccentric characters and seeing his huge financial investments collapse.

In early February 2009, news about a film adaptation of Cosmopolis first emerged with DeLillo attached as a consultant. According to DeLillo and Cronenberg, Branco's son, Juan Branco, suggested Cronenberg should adapt the novel to screen. In late July 2009, it was announced that Cronenberg had become involved in the project and would adapt the novel and direct. Cronenberg wrote the script in six days. He admitted that when he adapted the book, he realized it was so perfect that his only work was to separate dialogs from narration. In early September, Paulo Branco officially confirmed that "Cronenberg has now finished his screenplay and is now looking to cast the film." In early January 2010, it was reported that Cronenberg was still committed to the film, although a cast and a starting date for production were yet to be announced. Cronenberg said that everyone was "happy with the script" and he was "very fond" of the project. Colin Farrell was initially cast in the main role but left due to scheduling difficulties with Total Recall (2012). Ultimately, he was replaced by Robert Pattinson. Marion Cotillard was involved in the project but also left due to pregnancy. Ultimately, Sarah Gadon was cast. Paul Giamatti, Samantha Morton, Mathieu Amalric, Juliette Binoche, Jay Baruchel, and Kevin Durand rounded out the film's cast. In late May 2011, with a budget of $20.5 million, principal photography commenced, and wrapped in late July. Filming took place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The film was shot in chronological order.

The film stars Pattinson, Giamatti, Morton, Gadon, Amalric, Binoche, Baruchel, and Durand. Terrific performances were given by the cast. The contrast between the characters is very rich, both in the dialogues and in the attitudes. Pattison can act! He really can. Pattison gives a great performance but commits a bit of a disservice to himself with a distracting moodiness, and his lethargicness in the early scenes may be too much for some to bear.

Cronenberg has made a very good movie about the inner and external existential crisis in Pattison's Eric Packer. But he could have made a great one. Still Cosmopolis makes for an absorbing drama. It's infinitely assured moviemaking. More likely, most audiences will come away having had the good time that comes from a piece that is erudite, truthful and dark - and funny because of all of these things. The film shocks with its sheer stateliness, its almost quiet abstraction of existential melodrama. For anyone who loves Cronenberg's work, or meaty historical drama, the film is a treat.

Simon says Cosmopolis receives:

Also, see my review for A Dangerous Method.