“Satire is what closes on Saturday night.”
The famous showbiz quote is always close to my mind’s surface, because it’s so true. Satire opens on Friday and closes on Saturday because, well…maybe because by its very nature it’s skewering something we don’t like – so every laugh comes with a drop of disdain for the butts of the jokes.
Maybe that’s why director Adam McKay’s previous forays into political satire, “The Big Short” (2015) and “Vice” (2018), both smart films with stinging indictments of their subjects, didn’t fare as well as his goofy Will Ferell comedies, Anchorman and Talladega Nights?
McKay’s newest film, ‘Don’t Look Up’ boasts a game cast – the biggest names in Hollywood, and takes truthful and sometimes funny aim at very broad targets (morning TV show anchors, venal politicians, shallow pop stars, etc.).
Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence are scientists in Michigan she discovers a comet that is 5 to 10 kilometers in size and headed for earth. It will make impact in 6 months, destroying all mankind.
The funny bit are in the way the actors play their well-drawn characters: Leo is one of those brilliant nerds who can calculate problems that take up a ten foot white board, but probably can’t tie his shows. Lawrence is whip smart and a potty mouth with a severe haircut that gives her bangs from hell.
Meryl Streep is the President of the United States – vain, superficial and not interested in hearing the scientists’ doom and gloom predictions because it might hurt her politically. Until it turns out that it will help her – then she turns on a dime, of course.
Jonah Hill gets funny lines, almost all of them throw away asides, but still. Cate Blanchett is delicious, but wait till you see her in Death Alley this month.
So, the scientists make the rounds of media stops, trying to warn the public of what’s happening. The title comes from a movement of idiots, clearly meant to be MAGAs/Anti-Vaxxers/Climate Deniers/, etc. Convinced that this information is all a political ruse by the liberals and the media, they refuse to look up at the sky, where the approaching comet is clearly visible.
Yeah, there are some laughs, I recommend viewing the trailer below to get a feel for the brand of humor. And I loved the comedic performances, played straight, as they should be.
But I have such a bitter taste in my mouth for so many real life people and groups who are represented in this film that the chuckles come with a slight wince.
The obvious and notable success was 1964’s Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb – there is no “Don’t Look Up’ without it.
But it’s hard to laugh and wince at the same time. And maybe that’s why Satire is what closes on Saturday night.
‘Don’t Look Up’ is currently in theatrical release and will begin streaming on Netflix on December 24th. 2 ½ out of 3 Stars.
