I’d be lying if I said i wasn’t going into”Don’t Look Up” without high hopes and although Netflix originals have the reputation of being very hit-or-miss, from my point of view this film felt like it couldn’t go wrong. A star studded cast headed by the likes of Leo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence and Timothee Chalamet paired with an armageddon-esque storyline.
What I had failed to realise beforehand however, was the fact that this isn’t a drama or a thriller. It’s a comedy satire – largely focused on real world politics and the firm grasp of social media, capitalism and corruption around current day America.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good satire, however for a satire to effectively get it’s point across – it needs to have a clear goal in mind, and it doesn’t feel like “Don’t Look Up” does. It’s too ambitious. The film is so chock-a-block with this obnoxious, straight to the point, comedic satire that it fails to actually get a point across. Let’s satirize social media, oh? Now we’re discussing Kid Cudi and fame culture. We’re jumping across now to Climate deniers – and, speak of devil, here’s a representation of the Trump Administration.
Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate what they’re trying to do – and it’s clear from the final dinner table scene that “Don’t Look Up’s” overall goal is to tackle this overarching human cynicism that’s consistently being made more apparent within society as we progress. But it’s so obvious, so forcefully stuffed into the writing and editing, that it doesn’t let the film breath. It’s frustrating – because I feel that stripping back these references would’ve made the film MORE watchable and digestible – rather than turning out how it has – two hours of non-stop ineffective satirical social commentary.
Obviously, aside from the overarching theme of the movie. It’s completely watchable. The acting, is of course, incredible – with Leo absolutely nailing the role of the nerdy anxious scientist, and Jennifer fitting surprisingly well into her given part. Hill does well as a bit of comedic relief, Chalamet is completely welcome and Streep is in her element. We also see Kid Cudi and Ariana Grande, and although they’re quite humorous – they’re often overshadowed by this annoying fame culture sucks and here’s why message that the writers are trying to cram down our throats. Although the film feels sluggish at times – it’s often saved by some well thought out jokes or the occasional piece of well-timed tension.
Overall, the film is perfectly fine – and it might by my fault for coming into it not knowing what it really was. But at the end of the day – “Don’t Look Up” feels like a pizza with too much on it. Sure, it’s fine – but holy shit, I think a simple pepperoni would’ve been nicer.
