A movie that will leave viewers talking and reminiscing and maybe even healing from generational trauma, even when not all the loopholes and technical issues of its multiverse are solved.
Review
By Julisa Castro Ruiz / Matthew Staff
Directors: Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
Writers: Dan Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
Stars: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong, Jamie Lee Curtis
Rated: R
Running Time: 2h 12m
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
In a decade where Marvel, DC, and big-name production companies have taken over the concept of multiverse, A24’s “Everything Everywhere All at Once” brings its audience a refreshing take on it. The movie, unlike many of its multiverse counterparts, doesn’t focus only on saving the world but on the journey of self-discovery and saving oneself. With a universe filled with possibilities, directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert and main character Evelynintroduce the main character Evelyn Wang (Michelle Yeoh), an ordinary woman who runs a laundromat with her husband, Waymond Wang (Ke Huy Quan). Evelyn is too self-absorb in her world, trying to please her parents, to pay attention to her failing marriage or her daughter’s sexuality. Through a three-part story, a multiverse of characters and themes of family, cultural identity, sexuality, and family dynamics, “Everything, Everywhere all at Once” does justice to its title.
The movie was quite different in its writing stage: instead of a female protagonist, the story was written for a male protagonist, with Jackie Chan in mind for the lead role. Now it is hard to imagine the film without Yeoh at the center.
Evelyn is a complex character. Her flaws make her life in this universe filled with frustrations and monotony, which can explain why her surroundings are falling apart. Every relationship Evelyn has is crumbling, and she desperately tries to piece them together. From being audited by the IRS to neglecting her marriage and the constant fights with her daughter, the viewers can empathize with Evelyn and are excited when, amidst all the chaos, alternate universe Waymond comes to her rescue. He doesn’t propose a solution to her life; instead, he throws in a bigger problem, but this change of scenario and new purpose in life suits Evelyn well. Even though she is hesitant to join him at first, she was left with no option when she meets her antagonist, Jobu Tupaki.
Evelyn’s husband, Waymond, also steals the spotlight. The many version of him makes the audience fall over and over with him. He isn’t the usual love interest, nor does he have the “male savior” complex that many male protagonists are written as. Instead, he is vulnerable, proactive, and resilient character that in the midst of adversity is there to help.
The movie’s outstanding visual effects, intricate storyline, and out-of-this-world scenes alongside the complexity and depth of the characters make this movie unforgettable. The mother-daughter dynamics will, for many, be a love letter, a letter of understanding, and a well-deserved apology.
Everything Everywhere All At Once may not be a perfect movie or solve all the loopholes and technical issues with the multiverse, but it is a movie that will leave its audience talking and reminiscing…and maybe even healing from generational trauma.
Suggested Readings
How the Oscar wins for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ could change Hollywood.
‘I was screaming’: Malaysia and Vietnam celebrate Oscars triumphs.
thematthewrome.com 