Adam McKay's latest film Don't Look Up has a lot of things going for it. First and foremost, the film has an A-list cast filled with some of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood. The film is a great blend of comedy and drama, and it focuses on several current issues. Although it is a satire and humans have yet to be faced with the threat of a planet-killing comet, the film is a metaphor for many—current—worldwide issues. Anybody can see the correlation between Don't Look Up and the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the threat of climate change. The film is a glimpse into how citizens, corporations, and governments handle these threats and how divided we all are when it comes to dealing with these issues.
Similar to COVID-19 and climate change, audiences and critics are divided right down the middle with how they feel about the film. Don't Look Up currently has a 55% tomatometer, with a 78% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. This is perhaps due to the film’s relevance to current issues and how divided we are politically. Maybe some people just couldn't wrap their heads around the subject matter and weren't satisfied with the satirical plot. Don't Look Up definitely is not for everyone, but there's no denying that it is an important, thought-provoking film, filled with some of the greatest performances of 2021. Let's take a look at why Don't Look Up is one of the greatest disaster films of all time.
Don't Look Up Features Top-Notch Performances
There is no question that every member of the cast is at the top of their game. Leonardo DiCaprio completely transforms into a character that we have never seen him play before. Although he usually portrays characters with charm and charisma, DiCaprio instead plays Dr. Randall Mindy, an anxious and stuttering astronomer who frequently suffers from panic attacks. In one scene in particular, DiCaprio gives a screaming monologue about the corrupt government and the inability of citizens to come together on such bipartisan issues. Jennifer Lawrence shines as Kate Dibiasky, a grad student who is equally scared as she is desperate to get across how devastating the comet is. She faces off against President Orlean (Meryl Streep) and her son and chief-of-staff (Jonah Hill), who both give hilarious, yet frustrating, performances. While there are too many more to mention, it is certain that every actor in Don't Look Up brilliantly hits their mark.
Allegory For Climate Change and COVID-19
The film is equally entertaining as it is relevant to current issues affecting the modern world. It is clear that the approaching comet is a metaphor for the threat of climate change and the many people, including world leaders, who choose to ignore it. President Orlean and tech CEO Peter Isherwell (Mark Rylance) are well aware of the threat, but they are far more interested in political elections and using the comet to become even more disgustingly rich. We see in the film, as we do in the world, that our political and corporate systems are filled with ignorance, greed, and corruption. In terms of the relevance to COVID-19, the entire country, in the film, is divided about the threat of the comet. Similarly to the pandemic, half of the country sees the comet as a hoax, while the other half desperately work to spread awareness and save lives.
Great Blend Of Comedy and Drama
Since this is an Adam McKay film, one has to expect that it will be filled with some hilarious comedy. There are several great comedic moments, including the ongoing joke that a United States general would charge someone for free snacks, as well as the comic relief provided by Jonah Hill who is an immature, drug-taking chief of staff holding his mother's purse throughout the film. It should also be noted that Timothée Chalamet gives a fantastic performance as Yule, delivering several hilarious one-liners. In the third act, the film takes a dramatic change in tone as missions fail and the comet approaches Earth. The heartbreaking ending scene consists of Randal, Kate, Yule, and Dr. Oglethorpe (Rob Morgan) enjoying a beautiful dinner with Randal's family moments before the comet destroys Earth. Here, we are shown that it is the people you love who matter most and Dicaprio gives a memorable, improvised line bringing the entire film together.
The Political Satire is On-Point
Although the political satire is carried out comedically, it is quite scary to see the relevance to our current times. The United States general requesting money for the free snacks is a clear shot at the greed held in our political system. Through the relationship between President Orlean and Isherwell, we see the corrupt relationship between corporate America and government and the greed that comes with it. The meetings that take place between the astronomers and the government may be exaggerated, but there is no doubt that it portrays the fact that many powerful people choose to ignore science in the pursuit of wealth. Like the comet, politicians and citizens tend to ignore life-threatening problems until they are face to face with the damage. Even then, decisions are carried out incorrectly with ulterior motives.
Adam McKay’s Directing Style
Adam McKay has proved that he can tackle dramatic themes just as well as comedy. McKay has a directing style unique to him that usually includes comedic intertitles and unexpected moments. In Don't Look Up, McKay incorporates a lot of stock footage showcasing animals and the environment that effectively brings his message to light. McKay is brilliant at directing actors and has shown us that he can get the best out of his cast both comedically and dramatically. At the same time, McKay proved, with Don’t Look Up, that he is not afraid to take risks including extreme shifts in tone, as well as two highly memorable post-credit scenes. Don't Look Up is unquestionably McKay's most ambitious project yet and he has proved, once again, that he has a long career ahead of him that will be filled with many more thought-provoking, controversial, and memorable films.