Downsizing (2017)

	Also Known As: -
	Year of first release: 2017
	Director: Alexander Payne (About Schmidt, Sideways)
	Actors: Matt Damon (Elysium, Saving Private Ryan), Christoph Waltz (Inglorious Basterds, Jango Unchained), Hong Chau
	Country: USA
	Genre: SF, Comedy
	Conditions of visioning: 17.01.2018, Cinema theater
Synopsis: A group of scientists has discovered a way to reduce the size of humans, opening a way to diminish the pressure on our planet's resources. Paul Safranek (Damon) is tempted by the idea.
Review: The trailer incited me to go and watch that movie, as it was pretty vague on the genre in fact. Then I read it was a comedy while I could have expected an anticipation story with bitter ending. In fact Downsizing is a bit of everything and that's its biggest problem. The movie pleasantly takes it time to advertise the scientific discovery and its benefits, and introduces a character we can relate to (Damon). All along are some comedy notes (including small roles for Jason Sudeikis, Neil Patrick Harris or Laura Dern) but no big laughter either. Some sad events occur but no deep drama, the appealing SF story doesn't develop once Paul is small, a few hints of social satire don't lead to anything, and finally the main characters are under-used, like the great Udo Kier (lately seen in Iron Sky) or more importantly Christopher Walz super-trendy since Inglorious Basterds but whose participation is rather useless. So in spite of good looks and some good promises, the movies doesn't go anywhere and I got bored. Surprising because I usually find big-budget movies watchable thanks to Action, special effects... you always notice that some people (producers) paid attention that it doesn't sink, while Downsizing seems to have been left to live its life alone, without control.
Rating: 4 /10