Maps to the Stars

Directed by David Cronenberg

Starring Julianne Moore, Mia Wasikowska, Robert Pattinson, John Cusack, Evan Bird, Olivia Williams

Review by Jordan

Anyone who ventures into the mind of David Cronenberg better do so wearing a scarf and draped in sheepskin, because it is one cold place in there and you may just need the comfort of some fluffy fleece to see your safe return. Maps to the Stars, the latest cinematic venture from this master of translating the human condition into works of horrific heaviness, certainly shows that he has well and truly abandoned his body horror roots in favor of dissecting and portraying a dark side of humankind, whilst not forgetting to introduce dollops of black humor and irony where needed.

Unfortunately though, while it is clear to see the Canadian auteur’s vision here, the execution and indeed very premise borders on the regrettably insubstantial, leaving his devoted audience dating back to the feverish Shivers to ponder his next Robert Pattinson era project and, in a sign that at least one thing was accomplished, perhaps skip Julianne Moore’s next few films after baring witness to her horrible (though well acted) character here.

Maps to the Stars follows a family plus other assorted characters living shallow existences in Hollywood; losing a war with their damaged psyches and spoiled ideals and proving dangerous to themselves and others. Agatha Weiss (Mia Wasikowska), a young burns victim hitching a ride into Tinseltown in a rented limousine appears to hold the clues that tie everyone and their shameful secrets together, but with a plot that amounts to not much of anything and an overarching tone of solitude and shamefulness, before long we wish that we could just jump in said limousine ourselves and hightail it out of there, perhaps stopping in at Mulholland Drive for a more substantial serving of Hollywood paranoia instead.

As mentioned however, where Cronenberg does succeed in creating relevance here is in the occasional humor, as forced as it may sometimes seem. Havana Segrand’s (Moore) reaction to the drowning death of an actresses young son, subsequently landing her the comeback role she was so desperately craving will either have you quietly laughing or reaching for the remote, and almost every line Dr. Stafford Weiss (John Cusak) delivers is biting, and probably all too common in his media-driven industry.

Though never boring, this is a film that currently has no purpose or place in the movie landscape. I’m unsure if it’s trying to blur the lines between fact and fiction, parody celebrity culture or hold a mirror up to it, but I am sure that Cronenberg has done a lot better with a lot less talent at his disposal.

2 wedding rings out of 5