BY IRVIN RIVERA

The recent A24 film Everything Everywhere All At Once Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, collectively known as Daniel, starring Michele Yeoh, is a rare cinematic masterpiece. I say that because it is one of those films that left a profound effect on me after days of watching it- twice. It made me reflect inwards and also see my relationship with the world outwards at the same time. It made me laugh, cry, excited and continuously thinking and guessing what would happen next. If you haven’t seen the film yet, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a cinematic delight that feeds the soul.

And I will say this right out of the gate- I love this film and I highly recommend it to you.

Quick Summary to gauge if you should watch the film and read further:

WHY SHOULD YOU WATCH IT?

Because it’s art. Because it will take you to a memorable rollercoaster ride with unpredictable, non-linear twists and turns that would leave you satisfied. 

DO I RECOMMEND IT?

Highly recommended. 

WHO IS IT FOR?

It’s for those who like adventure. It’s for those who like a little bit of weirdness and quirkiness. It’s for the film aficionados who spot film references. It’s for those who like fashion, anime and martial arts. It’s for those who want to be entertained and legitimately feel good afterwards

WHAT’S IN IT?

Googly eyes, butt plugs, hotdog fingers, staplers, fanny pack, rocks, drama, circles- lots of them, a lot of Michelle Yeohs, science, art and more. 

FILMS THAT THIS MOVIE REMINDED ME OF

Wong Kar Wai’s In The Mood for Love, and the film 2046.

Kung-Fu Hustle and Kung-Fu Mahjong

OTHER REFERENCES TO CHECK

A24 Book: A Vast, Pointless Gyration of Radioactive Rocks and Gas in which You Happen to Occur

Why? Because this movie just satisfies something in you. Maybe because in its core, it speaks of the universal human need to be heard, to be accepted- to be loved. Perhaps because it tugs into your heartstrings in its seemingly mundane moments by triggering your past traumas, similar experiences, childhood memories, and relatable contents. Or maybe because amidst all the seemingly overwhelming confusing mess, you find clarity. You see the meaning, you find peace. 

I mean, it’s art. If it disturbs you, if it makes you think, and makes you question a lot of things, and if at the very least it makes you feel anything at all, it’s definitely art. Art and beautiful, well-made things like these feed my soul. 

Here are some reasons that brought this film to my pantheon of “Favorite Films of All Time” list. 

• The incomparable Michelle Yeoh. Acting multiple Evelyns from a multitude of universes is really commendable. Yeaoh’s talent and range was definitely highlighted here.

• Ke Huy Quan’s comeback is a gift. We need to see more of this talented man on screen. His commanding screen presence and his dedication to the craft of acting is very evident this film

• Stephanie Hsu is stellar. Her Jobu Tupaki character is insanely gripping. There’s something magnetic with this star and we definitely need to see more lead roles for her

• Jamie Lee Curtis as Deirdre Beaubeirdra is the perfect, comical, crazy and scary character that also took me on a roller coaster ride.

• The Wong Kar Wai references and shots! 

• Kudos to the whole crew. From the directors, to the cinematographers, editors, set-designers, gfx people, make-up, art, sounds, and everyone involved, really. Great job to everyone. 

• The exceptional “Alpha Jumpers” and real-life brothers Andy and Brian Le a.k.a. The buttplug jumpers- the stunts are clean af, and great job overall

• Daniels- What a ride. The more interviews I watch about this film, seeing more behind the scenes, the more I admire it

• It hits close to home. As most of the scenes involving the family dilemmas are what most Asian immigrant families encounter

• Made me cry in the movie theatre   

Here’s more of my thoughts without delving into spoiler territory. Although even if I drop words and symbols here, it still wouldn’t make proper sense unless you know it in full context. It’s one of those you really have to see it and pay attention to, in order to get it. 

Anyway, I really love how the opening shot establishes the strong symbolism of the circle early on. From the circular mirror with various reflections of the family, the circular window of the door to the laundromat, the washing machine’s circular window, to Deirdre’s black circle drawing on one of Evelyn’s receipts,  to the everything bagel- there’s circles.   

It’s that symbol of connectivity. Like a circle, if you’re connected, you will somehow , somewhere, by any means, time, dimension or meaning, you will eventually meet each other. Not at any beginning nor end, but at any point in the non-linear, circular space of everything, everywhere. 

It’s crazy how amidst all the chaos, the seemingly crazy-ass high brow, nerdy concept of interdimensional and multiversal possibilities, this movie is a story about a family looking for each other. It’s about being human- on feeling and expressing things, on learning and accepting, on knowing yet being ignorant, and on being everywhere and nowhere at the same time. 

It’s a beautiful paradox. So much like life itself. 

It’s like that feeling of finding peace when you embrace the chaos. 

It’s that movie.