Film Review: ‘Maps to the Stars’
Director: David Cronenberg
Cast: John Cusack, Julianne Moore, Mia Wasikowska, Robert Pattinson
Age Restriction: 16 LVSND
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Runtime: 111 minutes
Release date: 23 January 2015
With Maps to the Stars, we venture into Hollywood, but mostly behind-the-scenes as we meet Havana Segrand (Julianne Moore) a washed-up actress trying to revive her career.
Now Havana has lots of emotional issues as it’s implied that her late mother who was also an actress abused her. Despite this, Havana continues being abused as she has hallucinations of her mother constantly belittling her.
Ironically though, Havana is trying to secure a role in a remake of a film her mother once starred in – a role which made her mother famous.
Besides Havana, the film also follows Benjie Weiss (Evan Bird), a famous child star who also wants to make a comeback due to his stint in rehab.
And finally we meet Agatha (Mia Wasikowska) who eventually lands a job working as Havana’s personal assistant. It’s basically Agatha who sort of ties these two seemingly separate stories together as she shares a connection to both parties.
Maps to the Stars is a satirical film that mocks the current state of Hollywood where middle aged actors/actresses struggle to find work while the young only thrive. However, it also explores how bad images or decisions of famous people can damage their reputation and their desperation to do whatever it takes to get back on top.
While Maps to the Stars has well-written characters that will keep viewers intrigued most of the time, it suffers from a choppy plot that moves way too fast and lacks the detail needed to explain some of the film’s psychological themes.
While the film has a good story, it stumbles before the finish line as it had the potential to be something really great. Instead, it’s bogged down by its short runtime and doesn’t really know whether it wants to be a psychological thriller or an emotional drama.
Maps to the Stars is a blend of drama mixed with psychology, a bit of thriller and psychotic weirdness. If this is too complicated for you, then rather avoid. Those looking for something rather unusual should go and see this film. Although, it would require you bring your brain to the theatre as you will need your intellect to help you solve the film’s mental themes.
The acting of course is superb, especially Julianne Moore who brings energy and excitement to the role of Havana. Yes, Julianne is really good in this film, so good that the Golden Globes even nominated her for Best Actress – Musical or Comedy. Despite losing, she eventually won her other nomination for Best Actress – Drama for her role in Still Alice.
Although it may have problems, Maps to the Stars still entertains and intrigues with Julianne Moore’s performance a major highlight.
Maps to the Stars is not for everyone as art house filmgoers may only enjoy this while general moviegoers should rather avoid.
