“Everything Everywhere All at Once” lived up to predictions and took home seven Academy Awards on Sunday night, including best picture and best director. Michelle Yeoh also won for best actress. Early winners for the night included Ke Huy Quan for best supporting actor and Jamie Lee Curtis for best supporting actress. The film came in strong with 11 nominations, earning a whopping $107.3 million globally, critical acclaim and a multitude of awards.
The story centers around Evelyn Wang, a Chinese-American woman played by Michelle Yeoh, who is a wife, mother, and laundromat owner. Although the plot may seem unremarkable at first, the film takes us on a wild ride through a sci-fi multiverse, making for a hilarious and visually stunning movie.
Michelle Yeoh’s performance as Evelyn is truly outstanding. She becomes a whirlwind that jumps between realms, leaving the audience breathless with excitement. And let’s not forget Ke Huy Quan’s portrayal of Waymond, Evelyn’s husband, who brings humor and heart to the film. Yeoh, Quan, and Jamie Lee Curtis won the Academy Award in their respective categories.
The movie has been nominated for numerous awards and named one of the top 10 films of 2022 by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute. But what really sets “Everything Everywhere All at Once” apart is the emotions that run beneath the action. The film is a reminder that, even in a world full of constant stimulation, human connection is essential.
This film is both huge in scale, with its multiverse and parallel realities, and small in focus, with its emphasis on the life of Evelyn Wang and her family. You’ll find martial arts fights, IRS meetings, surrealism, absurdity, and a complete disregard for traditional plot structure. It’s hard to even describe this film, but trust me, it’s worth watching without knowing too much about it. Every twist, every turn, and every emotional beat is an experience. It’s a movie that requires multiple viewings to appreciate everything that’s happening in each scene.
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” tackles everyday life fears and worries such as financial security, personal growth, and success. But the story is so well rounded, that I bet anyone can relate to the fear of missing out and the pointlessness of existence itself.
There’s so much packed into the 140-minute runtime, from talking raccoons to hand-drawn cartoons to rocks with googly eyes. The absurdity of it all is what holds the story together, along with Son Lux’s score, which captures the many tones of the film perfectly.
What’s truly magical about “Everything Everywhere All At Once” is the way it stays with you. The raw creativity and passion come through in every scene, creating emotional moments not seen anywhere else. The editing techniques are like nothing else you’ve seen before, extending single scenes through universe jumping and recontextualizing every moment. The production design and cinematography bring each universe to life, with each location having its own rich history. The makeup and costume switches dramatically between every universe and it’s really inspiring to see filmmakers pushing every department in a movie to it’s full potential. Movies are a collaborative process and it stands out here.
This film is a true marvel and one of the best of the year. It’s sure to inspire the next generation of filmmakers and leave a lasting impact on anyone who watches it. EEAAO is a reminder of what filmmaking can be: boundless.
