Continuing the countdown of my favorite 2022 movies…
Best Films of 2022
#9 – Everything Everywhere All at Once
When I first walked out of this magnificent film, almost exactly a year ago, I would have called you crazy if you told me it would be the front-runner for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
I’d point to its sci-fi premise, its kung-fu action scenes, its juvenile humor, its primarily Asian cast, and a dozen other attributes that make this wildly inventive movie the opposite of Oscar bait.
And yet here we are, a year later, on the verge of watching it take home the big prize. Even it goes home empty-handed, the fact that it led the field with 11 nominations in the first place is remarkable.
I think Everything Everywhere hit with the traditionally conservative Academy because, at its core, it’s a heartwarming movie about the importance of family. Sure, it features hot dog fingers and butt plugs, but the acid trip visuals aren’t what made this movie resonate so deeply for so many people.
What captured us was the daughter who feels so unseen by her mother that she retreats into nihilism. The husband whose inner strength is masked by his apparent softness. The mother and wife who, bogged down by laundry and taxes, takes the love in her life for granted.
Writer/director duo Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert give us an apocalyptic action movie where the problems of that small family could bring about the end of the world. And isn’t that how everybody feels about their personal troubles?
So watch this film for the ingeniously choreographed fight scenes, for the silly jokes, for the hushed romance, for the exquisitely conceptualized multiverse, or for the therapy. But do watch it, because it’s unlikely you’ll ever see anything quite like it again.
Time – He’s waiting in the wings
He speaks of senseless things
His script is you and me, Boy
Time – He flexes like a whore
Falls wanking to the floor
His trick is you and me, Boy
Time – In Quaaludes and red wine
Demanding Billy Dolls
And other friends of mine
Take your time
The sniper in the brain
Regurgitating drain
Incestuous and vain
And many other last names
Well, I look at my watch it says 9:25 and I think
“Oh God! I’m still alive.”
[Chorus]
We should be on by now
We should be on by now
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li
[Verse 2]
You – Are not a victim
You – Just scream with boredom!
You – Are not evicting time…
[Bowie breathing heavily]
Chimes – Goddamn, you’re looking old
You’ll freeze and catch a cold
‘Cause you’ve left your coat behind
Take your time
Breaking up is hard
But keeping dark is hateful
I had so many dreams
I had so many breakthroughs
But you, my love, were kind
But love has left you dreamless
The door to dreams was closed
Your park was real and dreamless
Perhaps you’re smiling now
Smiling through this darkness
But all I have to give
Is guilt for dreaming
[Chorus]
We should be on by now
We should be on by now
We should be on by now
We should be on by now
We should be on by now
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, yes, time!
Meet Me In Montauk 
Just as this film should not have been embraced by the Academy, it arguably shouldn’t have been embraced by me as well. I certainly went into it with a healthy dose of pessimism, and, candidly, was ready to write the movie off after the first 10 to 20 minutes. But then the movie pulled me in and didn’t let me go for all of the reasons you mentioned. By the end, I was emotionally moved and thoroughly impressed.
I am not sure if this movie will take home the big prize at the Oscars, but I for one will be rooting for it!
I’m sorry to say that I just can’t get into this movie as much as I would like to. I hope it’s not the big winner it appears to be headed for on Oscar night since there are some wonderful films competing this year. So just as I am still in shock over Daniele Deadwyler’s snub I will move on.
I do wish you could get far enough into the film to allow it to take hold. I know it’s not much to report that Daniel and I were sobbing by the end, but I promise the emotional core of the film is just beautiful and poignant and deserving of all the accolades.
Absolutely love this movie and love this review! You articulated so many of the reasons why myself and so many audience members were able to connect with this seemingly esoteric story. I’m becoming more and more enamored with art pieces that are very specific in approach but universal in the themes they’re tackling. I felt that way about “Tar” and I certainly feel that way about “Everything Everywhere All At Once”. When I went to see this film with my family I felt confident that the movie would be an all-around hit. Of course, there were already many glowing reviews to base that feeling off. However, as you put so beautifully this is a film for families and behind all the smoke and mirrors is such strong heart.