Cosmopolis

France/Canada/Portugal/Italy 2012. Directed by David Cronenberg. With Robert Pattinson, Jay Baruchel, Paul Giamatti, Samantha Morton, Mathieu Amalric, Juliette Binoche.

Adapted from Don de Lillo’s novel and describing itself as ‘the first film about our new millennium’, Cosmopolis sees Twilight star Robert Pattinson continue the move away from teen star status he began in last year’s controversial Bel Ami. Iconic director David Cronenberg (Scanners, Dead Ringers, A Dangerous Method) assembles a heavyweight cast to tell the story of a day in the life of young billionaire Eric Packer (Pattinson) as he attempts to cross Manhattan in order to have his hair cut. Along the way, his journey is repeatedly interrupted (a presidential motorcade, a riot, a funeral procession) as he simultaneously makes enormous losses in currency trades, all from the comfort of his luxury futuristic limousine.