Everything Everywhere All at Once

An inventive, metaphysical Chinese-American film that is widely creative – at least before its length nearly beats you to death.

First of all, I apologize for my lack of movie reviews. I have large flower gardens and their demands this time of year keep me out of the theater.

But I’m back in action, and I was dying to see the acclaimed Everything Everywhere. Yes, while it is a great work of cinematic art, its unnecessary length led to some tedious, repetitive scenes.

However, Michele Yeoh gives a dazzling performance as the owner of a laundromat that has serious tax problems. On top of that, her husband (Ke Huy Quan) has served her with divorce papers, while her teenage daughter (Stephanie Hsu) shows up at home with a girl she is dating.

Trouble ensues. As Ms. Yeoh confronts the nasty tax investigator, played in sterling fashion by Jamie Lee Curtis, her husband invokes superpowers from the universe, and they start a trip that defines the film.

Let me just say that our married couple start a journey through time where they relive moments that define their lives. This is the best part of the film as you watch them question decisions that are experienced by most of us.

But what I found to be the most fun flowing from the film were the special effects. You watch our couple become transformed into Kung Fu experts who repeatedly are forced to engage in battles with police authorities. In particular, watch for the athletic performance of Brian Le who plays a police officer villain.

This is one of those rare enjoyable films that leaves you wishing it would find a way to end. You will probably be like me as you sit murmuring, “End this thing and don’t spoil its pleasure”.