Pop Culture Happy Hour Eddington And What's Making Us Happy
12 snips
Jul 18, 2025 Walter Chow, a writer, critic, and film instructor at the University of Colorado, dives into the film 'Eddington,' exploring its satirical reflection on political rivalries during the pandemic and its response to societal issues like the murder of George Floyd. The discussion critiques character representation in Ari Aster's work and highlights the need for authentic storytelling. The hosts celebrate the engaging characters in 'Strange New Worlds' and share the uplifting remix 'Shake It to the Max Fly,' which sparks joy and positive vibes.
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Difficult Satire of Pandemic Era
- Eddington attempts to satirize an unsatirizable period by making all pandemic conspiracies true and boiling tensions over. - It captures the confusion and extremity of the pandemic era well, despite some frustration with its success.
Aster's Satire Feels Toothless
- Ari Aster's film fails to engage as his earlier works did by lacking control and nuance, resulting in boredom. - The movie offers hackneyed, obvious observations about pandemic politics without deeper insight.
Familiar Pandemic Feelings Portrayed
- The movie succeeds in dramatizing familiar pandemic experiences, such as social distancing tensions and responses to mask mandates. - However, it struggles to develop complex political dynamics or turn tension into meaningful drama.
