Why You Can’t Miss Robert Pattinson’s Mind-Blowing Performance in Mickey 17!

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If you’re a fan of Bong Joon Ho’s films that explore class and the exploitation of society’s most vulnerable by the wealthy, or if you enjoy thought-provoking sci-fi comedies, or even if you admire Robert Pattinson’s acting skills, then mark your calendars for the opening night of Mickey 17 in a theater. However, it’s important to note that while this film is witty, poignant, and thought-provoking, it has certain issues that prevent it from reaching the heights of masterpieces like Parasite. So, go enjoy it for what it is – a very good movie!

In the movie titled Mickey 17, what works exceptionally well could make you forget its brilliance since it’s so seamlessly integrated. One reason for this is that the film, being predominantly a comedy, is incredibly laugh-out-loud funny. The humor in it appears effortless, but don’t be fooled – it requires great skill to pull off. This humor encompasses classic physical comedy, witty dialogue, over-the-top acting, and ludicrous situations. In fact, the humor alone keeps viewers engaged from beginning to end.

In the same vein as the emotional thread of Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey 7, the movie unfolds on a colony ship, governed by a politician/cult leader and his congregation. At its core, this film explores the cruel manipulation of an individual suffering deeply. (It bears many similarities to Apple TV+’s Severance.) Timothée Chalamet’s character, Mickey Barnes, willingly enlists for a four-and-a-half year space mission that leaves others incredulous due to its undesirability. It’s a job nobody else dares to take on. He is compensated for sacrificing his life repeatedly in the name of science and duty. Mickey serves as the ship’s test subject, valued yet disparaged. Each time he perishes, he undergoes replication. This process presents its own complications. However, the true turmoil arises when Mickey 18 is printed before Mickey 17 has actually expired.

Who would willingly undertake such a task? A person who seems to require protection from themselves. Mickey, being rather naive and exceptionally kind, is particularly susceptible to being manipulated by others, including himself. This vulnerability partly explains why he finds himself on the ship. His friend Timo, skillfully portrayed by Steven Yuen, involves Mickey in a dangerous loan shark situation on Earth. Facing imminent death, they are compelled to abandon the entire planet. Mickey also harbors a deeply emotional reason for feeling deserving of repeated punishment. This only intensifies your desire to protect him. It also fuels your anger towards those using him as a test subject even more. However, much like in many of Bong Joon Ho’s films, the wealthy view those beneath them merely as biological assets to exploit. Watching this unfold, especially during his harsher deaths, is distressing, particularly at its most intense moments.

The heart-wrenching moments portrayed by Mickey in the movie, which align with its message about labor issues, are the most impactful aspects of the film. I wish they had been more prominent. Mickey 17 is predominantly a comedy, but the emotional scenes were more powerful than the humor. However, the deep human drama sometimes gets overshadowed by the multitude of themes the movie explores. Mickey 17 delves into colonialism and independence, ethical dilemmas in science and the essence of humanity, as well as the fundamentals of existence and mortality. It’s a complex blend, both enriching and overwhelming at times.

The politics of Kenneth Marshall, as portrayed by Mark Ruffalo, hold an uncanny resemblance to a powerful political figure, albeit not directly depicted as the same individual. Ruffalo’s character is a caricature, complete with oversized teeth that add to his buffoonish appearance and questionable intelligence. Despite his dubious qualities, Marshall manages to garner support from followers who view him more as a religious leader than a politician.

His supporters are so devoted that they would follow him to another planet, ready to serve him there. They even pay tribute to him by giving the number one finger salute with their right arm. To remove any doubt about Marshall’s spiritual inspiration, he transforms himself into a TV personality on the spaceship. In essence, Kenneth Marshall is reminiscent of a well-known political figure, albeit in a more fantastical context.

As a cinephile, I found myself grappling with the portrayal of Ruffalo’s character in “Marshall.” Though I appreciate his role and its impact on the movie’s themes, his performance just didn’t resonate. It seemed as though he was starring in an entirely different film compared to the rest of the cast.

Kenneth Marshall, in my opinion, feels disconnected from the realism that permeates “Mickey 17.” The other characters, despite their absurd circumstances, felt authentic and relatable. However, Kenneth Marshall appeared more like a caricature than a character, making it worse than just a distraction.

Sadly, Ruffalo’s portrayal of Marshall frequently pulled me out of the immersive experience that the film aimed to provide. Given his significant screen time, this inconsistency was a persistent issue throughout the movie.

In essence, Toni Collette’s portrayal in the movie, mirroring Ruffalo’s role as intended by the director, is remarkable. Collette plays Ylfa, Marshall’s wife and his equally immoral but slightly more intelligent counterpart. She masterfully portrays a character that seems like a genuine person, yet is absurdly human at the same time. Collette skillfully treads the line between character and caricature, giving one of the film’s standout performances.

Naomi Ackie delivers an outstanding performance as Nasha, Mickey’s companion on the ship. She stands out by treating Mickey with dignity, making her the only character to see him as a fellow human being. The movie allows Ackie to display a wide array of emotions, showcasing this particularly well during a stunning scene where she encounters 17 and 18 simultaneously. Nasha also plays a crucial role in providing the film with moral guidance. However, her character and the movie could have been more fully fleshed out, as we are left wondering about the reasons behind her affection for Mickey. Given that their relationship is central to the narrative, their romance feels somewhat unfinished.

From a passionate cinephile’s perspective, the intricate sci-fi aspects of Mickey 17 are both captivating and perplexing. While the film effectively clarifies most of its other sci-fi elements, it leaves some plot holes that are hard to overlook. If only there were less technical jargon or perhaps more of it, the narrative flow could have been smoother. The script also seems to withhold crucial exposition at inopportune moments, which detracts from the overall experience. Some critical developments feel hastily executed or unjustified in the moment, and it’s baffling as to why certain information is withheld until later.

The film deliberately appears gloomy and grimy throughout, and towards the end, you understand why director Bong Joon Ho chose this style. The movie’s appearance serves a deeper thematic function, but unfortunately, it fails to create an enjoyable viewing experience for the audience, much like Ruffalo’s Marshall character. In essence, the film isn’t visually appealing, and the reward at the end doesn’t compensate for the two hours of unappealing visuals that precede it. However, the alien creatures, referred to as “creepers,” are exceptionally well-designed.

In this film, Robert Pattinson’s performance stands out as the most captivating aspect. Initially, his actions may seem peculiar or exaggerated, which might leave viewers questioning their purpose. However, when another version of Pattinson appears on screen, everything that came before becomes clear and truly remarkable. The experience is so compelling that I find myself eager to rewatch the movie, focusing on appreciating Pattinson’s performance rather than pondering its reasons. This confusion stems from the fact that it adds depth to the story in a unique way.

I’m unsure if my affection for the movie “Mickey 17” will increase or decrease with time, but my admiration for Robert Pattinson’s acting is definitely set to rise. Despite its shortcomings, there are still many aspects of this film to appreciate. Although “Mickey 17” may not be on par with “Parasite,” it’s another entertaining and captivating production by Bong Joon Ho.

Mickey 17 ⭐ (3.5 of 5)

As a movie enthusiast and writer for TopMob, I’m ready to express my unwavering belief that Robert Pattinson deserves an Oscar nomination in 2021. I won’t shy away from voicing this opinion throughout the year. You can find me discussing films, entertainment news, and more on Bluesky at @burgermike. Additionally, if you’re interested in ranking the Targaryen kings, feel free to follow along with my thoughts!

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2025-03-04 22:30