Review: MAPS TO THE STARS (2015)

Review

MAPS TO THE STARS (2015)

Julianne Moore, Mia Wasikowska, John Cusak, Robert Pattinson, Olivia Williams, Evan Bird, Sarah Gadon, Carrie Fisher

Directed by David Cronenberg 

David Cronenberg made a name for himself in the 70's and 80's by directing the horror films Rabid, Scanners, Videodrome, and The Fly.  Now, almost 30 years later, he gives us a different kind of horror film.  There aren't any exploding heads but plenty of exploding egos. 

"Maps to the Stars" focuses on the ugly side of Hollywood as vile and superficial characters interact in a script by Bruce Wagner.  Oscar winner Julianne Moore delivers another astonishing performance as aging actress Havana Segrand who is referred to as "menopausal" and "older than death" by the newest crop of wannabe actors.  Her star is fading fast and she's hoping to jump start her career by landing the lead role once played by her famous mother (Sarah Gadon) in a remake of a classic film.  

Mia Wasikowska (Jane Eyre, Only Lovers Left Alive) plays Florida transplant, Agatha, who has just arrived in L.A. and thanks to actress Carrie Fisher, whom she met on Twitter, she lands a job as Havana's personal-assistant or "chore-whore" as Havanalikes to call her.  Burned in a fire as a child, Agatha wears long black gloves to cover up her scars and maybe something else as this air of mystery surrounds her.  

When Agatha arrives in L.A. she hires a limousine to give her that welcome toHollywood treatment.  Her driver turns out to be hopeful actor/writer Jerome Fontana (Robert Pattinson) who is modeled after "Maps" screenwriter Bruce Wagner.  Back in the 90's, Wagner worked as a limo driver in Los Angeles while working on the script.     

We are also introduced to the Weiss family with John Cusak as Stafford, a self-help guru and massage therapist to the stars, Havana turns out to be one of his clients.  Christina (Olivia Williams), his wife, works as the manager for their arrogant 13 year son, Benjie (Evan Bird), who became a child star after a series of Bad Babysitterfilms.  He recently checked out of rehab and the studios are worried he may relapse so they've set up a meeting to discuss another Bad Babysitter sequel.  

This isn't the first time Tinseltown has reared it's ugly head but it is the first time that a Cronenberg film was shot in the United States. The director spent 5 days shooting in Los Angeles, the rest of the film was shot in Toronto.  This marks the 11th time that cinematographer Peter Suschitzky, has worked with Cronenberg and whether he is shooting outdoors or inside, every scene is perfectly lit and natural looking.  It's almost as if  Suschitzky doesn't use any artificial light, especially during the night scenes.  

This is one of the best casts Cronenberg has assembled for a film. Julianne Moore is fantastic as the self-absorbed actress and Mia Wasikowska shines as the schizophrenic Agatha.  The last time we saw Pattinson in a Cronenberg film (Cosmopolis) he was riding in the back of a limo and now he's driving one.  I really enjoyed his performance here and last year's "The Rover." 

Despite it's harsh brutality "Maps To The Stars" has some very funny moments, and the lack of benevolence is softened by the fact that it takes place in Hollywood.  Doesn't really matter that you won't like most of the characters, the film is spellbinding. 

( 3 1/2 stars)  

**I never go by reviews personally. Also, if you have DirectTv and didn't; know it, MAPS is playing on On Demand ;-) I know what I'm watching this week......

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