Ari Aster’s Eddington is an Ambitious but Ill-Conceived Mess
Image courtesy of @4KStills on X.
By Luis Zonenberg
Continuing our look back at last year’s films, I wanted to check one of the more polarizing entries on the list. None fit the bill better than Ari Aster’s Eddington, a satirical contemporary western set during the first few months of the Covid-19 Pandemic. While many praised the cast and Aster’s direction, the film’s story left many wanting more. I decided to revisit it and see if there’s any muck that could stain my boots.
The story focuses on aging sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) as he attempts to keep the city under control amidst the new lockdown protocols mandated by the state department. Cross fails to see what good will come of enforcing these laws, often coming at odds with Mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal). Fed up with these new laws, Cross decided to campaign for mayor, much to the dismay of his wife, Louise (Emma Stone).
The story nails the hammer on the head with its commentary, forsaking any sense of subtlety or nuance. It seems to poke fun at the extremes on both sides of the political spectrum, but it never bothered to show how the pandemic really fueled these ideologies. They instead chose to emphasize the misuse of technology and how misinformation can spread like wildfire, creating isolation among the collective. Unfortunately, the film never goes all the way with either, leaving audiences ultimately unsatisfied.
While the commentary is very on the nose, it honestly would not have been as bad if not for the awful characters! Joe Cross initially seems like a typical do-gooder trying to get the town united once more, but ultimately comes across as arrogant and selfish as the film goes on. A good majority of the characters are painted as egotistical brats, which makes it hard to root for anyone since almost everyone is downright unlikable and annoying.
The poor cast tries their best to make this work, with Joaquin Phoenix clearly struggling the most. He nails the sincerity and awkwardness of his character, but even his performance can’t save the film from his character’s poor decisions. Most of the supporting cast feels wasted, with stars like Emma Stone and Austin Butler having too little screen time to make their performances memorable. Pedro Pascal and Michael Ward were the only actors who really managed to deliver some compelling performances.
The cinematography, though, was outstanding to behold, with cinematographer Darius Khondji continuing to deliver some spellbinding visuals here. The film was absolutely gorgeous, utilizing various angles and wide shots that brilliantly kept the audience on edge throughout the movie. These visuals really made the world feel realistic, offering an immersive ride that makes you feel like you’re following the characters in real time.
The costumes and set design were highly polished, capturing the contemporary Western look well. The various outfits the characters wore felt like outfits you could see people wearing down south, with the practical sets making the environment feel all the more realistic. The rustic outfits and realistic setting made the film all the more gritty, nicely complementing the visual aesthetic of the film.
The movie proved to be polarizing for many people, and it’s easy to see why. From its unconventional story to its harsh criticism of the political climate during the pandemic, there is no shortage of problems to address. Honestly, this obvious commentary would not be so terrible if the characters were likable or if the satire created an awkwardly kitsch but funny environment. Ultimately, Ari Aster’s Eddington blunders with its awkward satire, anchored only by its splendid visuals and a game performance from Pedro Pascal.
Eddington is now streaming on HBO Max.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
