Downsizing; Movie Review

Exploring the racial controversy in the movie, Downsizing.

Downsizing is a movie directed by Alexander Payne. It was released on the 22nd December 2017, and has so far made $50 Million in box office. Starring Matt Damon, Kirsten Wiig, and Hong Chau.

It is based in the future, where Norwegian scientists discover how to shrink humans, leaving them at five inches tall. This is a solution of overpopulation and global warming. The story revolves around Matt Damon’s journey, from being shrunk, to meeting a vietnamese refugee and a nouveau riche upstairs neighbour.

The vietnamese refuge, Ngoc Lan Tran, is played by Hong Chau. Ngoc was an activist in her country, who was shrunk against her will in prison. She was then smuggled, along with 17 other miniature people, in a TV box to the US. She was the only one to survive, but lost half her lower leg in the process. After gaining alot of press, she is allowed to live in one of the luxury miniature communities with host families. She does not get along with her host families, so lives in the ‘slums’ on the outskirts. She spends her time running a cleaning business and doing humanitarian deeds.

Hong Chau’s acting in the film downsizing created a lot of controversy. Some said that her portrayal of the character was racist, and over emphasized due to the way her character spoke imperfect english. It played upon the stereotypes of immigrants, and therefore received a lot of criticism as representation is currently an issue in Hollywood. This links to cultural capital.

Hong Chau has had to defend herself to many critics, saying “I have to sit there and explain to another human being why somebody who looks like me and sounds like my parents deserves to exist onscreen. If it’s well-written and well-performed, it can’t be a stereotype. It’s just a person, a complex human being”. She added, “The character isn’t just the accent, it’s also everything that she is saying.”

She has been nominated for many famous awards for her role in the film. Such as; Best Supporting Actress from the Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild, and the Critics’ Choice Awards. Therefore, there must be mixed opinions on whether her performance created an “icky, racist caricature” or “the movies boldest and most compelling character”. Moreover, it could be perceived that she highlights the struggles minorities face.

“It’s a movie in which too-muchness ends up being not-enoughness” – Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

 

Currently, there have been various scandals in Hollywood, resulting in it being quite a sensitive time to play such a controversial role. There are many ways in which the character Ngoc Lan Tran could be perceived as racist. However, Hong Chau has continued to stand her ground, and justify the reasons. The movie itself has also received criticism as it had a $68 million budget, meaning people were left disappointed after they had high expectations and the plot just did not follow through. This could be another reason she has received such negative attention.

Citations:

Zacharek, S. (2017). Downsizing Features Thorny Questions and One Terrific Performance. [online] Time. Available at: http://time.com/5074589/downsizing-movie-review/ [Accessed 13 Feb. 2018].

En.wikipedia.org. (2018). Downsizing (film). [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downsizing_(film)#Cast [Accessed 13 Feb. 2018].

Semley, J. (2017). Claims of racism dog a Golden Globe-nominated performance, revealing the bias of the accusers. [online] Salon. Available at: https://www.salon.com/2017/12/12/hong-chau-downsizing-racist/ [Accessed 13 Feb. 2018].

Erbland, K. (2017). ‘Downsizing’ Breakout Hong Chau On Her Controversial Accent and Playing a Disabled Character Respectfully. [online] IndieWire. Available at: http://www.indiewire.com/2017/12/downsizing-hong-chau-controversial-accent-disabled-character-1201909841/ [Accessed 13 Feb. 2018].

Truffaut-Wong, O. (2017). What This ‘Downsizing’ Star Really Thinks About The Criticisms She Plays A Racist Caricature. [online] Bustle. Available at: https://www.bustle.com/p/hong-chau-refuses-to-let-her-downsizing-character-be-reduced-to-a-caricature-2903544 [Accessed 13 Feb. 2018].