Publisher’s Note: Thanks to Jim Hogue for this film review of “Don’t Look Up,” a Rorschach Test for one’s “take” on “Climate Change” (and other Civilizational “Catastrophes.”)
Brilliant Satire.
DiCaprio and Lawrence drive the story. Streep sparkles. Blanchett is marvelous, as always. TV host, Tyler Perry, hits all the right comic notes and is pitch perfect.
The targets of the satire are the media, the presidency (Meryl Streep & Co), and the insanity that has become life a usual. It all comes together via the reactions to a huge comet, discovered by Jennifer Lawrence, on its inevitable path to destroy the earth.
The media regards it as entertainment. The president and her staff dither jovially until they are finally convinced of a ludicrous money-making plan. We-the-people panic or mock or disbelieve the reports. Meanwhile, the comet, approaching, is visible to anyone who looks up.
DiCaprio and Lawrence cry JUST LOOK UP! THE SKY IS FALLING!
Throughout.
We are gripped by insanity in the face of disaster. DiCaprio and Lawrence are among the sane. They keep beating the news into everyone’s think scull while we watch the ship of fools.