Some of the critics or general audiences' negative response to the seventh film Alexander Payne (The Descendants, Sideways) is the majority of which leads to the conclusion that too many ideas are tried to be summarized and fail to hit the target. They want the film to leave a significant impact, move the heart, or perhaps participate in a better world. As Paul Safranek's (Matt Damon) great wish contributed to saving the environment and humanity in it. Unfortunately, he does not feel happiness, Charged with financial problems, Paul invites his wife, Audrey (Kristen Wiig) to follow Downsizing program alias reduce the body to improve life (1 dollar normal world can be worth 1000 times in mini world) as well as participate to overcome the problem of overpopulation. At least that is the content of Paul's mind and the scientists behind the creation of such technology. Immediately, they discover how it needs to be repaired not just the infrastructure, but the man himself. 

 People who think only of themselves and hurt each other dominate Downsizing. Paul was struck when he learned that Audrey had canceled his intention to shrink in the last second. Payne has implied it to the audience since the interview scene. Paul looked convinced, while from her gaze, Audrey was visibly shrouded in disbelief (Wiig sold the doubts well). We realize that, but Paul does not. Audrey was guilty of abruptly canceling the plan just because her eyebrows and hair were cut off, but Paul who failed to understand her wife's anxiety was the same.

Paul is like an activist who boasted about a variety of issues but nothing more than a selfish figure who forced his will. But Paul is hard to be happy. Then he met Dušan Mirković (Christoph Waltz), a party lover who openly declared following Downsizing program for the sake of business. Dušan is always happy in the midst of honesty about his ignorance. Until Ngoc Lan Tran (Hong Chau), a Vietnamese activist who was forced to shrink her body was present. In the eyes of Payne, Ngoc Lan is the ideal figure. Working as a janitor, Ngoc Lan is paid with leftovers or medicines he gives to those in need. He does things with real impact. 

Hong Chau is amazing playing Ngoc Lan. When Waltz's eccentric expression and Damon's "only" face became a comedic foundation, Hong Chau also brought the burden of lifting the dramatic part. She is funny and energetic. Using accented English, Hong Chau speaks as he wishes, handling the film's appeal whenever he's involved on screen. Entering the last round has shown sensitivity in a monologue by Payne who was arrested using close up without breaking so that the emotional strength of the actress plastered clearly. The monologue should seal his position as an Oscar nomination.

Payne threw a lot of glance issues to simplify the conclusion because it emphasizes "we have to do good." But is not that the root of all progress? Goodness and happiness. That is why, instead of exploring the complexity of the high concept, Payne invites the audience to laugh through a visual comedy full of weirdness, from the naked head and eyebrows of Matt Damon to the naked bare body being picked up like food. The director and scriptwriter are too relaxed, producing a series of moments that should end a few minutes faster. 

RATING (6/10)

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