Downsizing (2017)

A social satire in which a man realizes he would have a better life if he were to shrink himself to five inches tall, allowing him to live in wealth and splendor.

Director:

Alexander Payne

Writers:

Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor

Stars:

Matt Damon, Christoph Waltz, Hong Chau

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matt Damon	...	Paul Safranek
Christoph Waltz	...	Dusan Mirkovic
Hong Chau	...	Ngoc Lan Tran
Kristen Wiig	...	Audrey Safranek
Rolf Lassgård	...	Dr. Jorgen Asbjørnsen
Ingjerd Egeberg	...	Anne-Helene Asbjørnsen
Udo Kier	...	Konrad
Søren Pilmark	...	Dr. Andreas Jacobsen
Jason Sudeikis	...	Dave Johnson
Maribeth Monroe	...	Carol Johnson
Jayne Houdyshell	...	Paul's Mother
Phil Reeves	...	Audrey's Dad Larry
James Van Der Beek	...	Anesthesiologist
Alison J. Palmer	...	Anesthesiologist's Wife
Tim Driscoll	...	Good Friend Tim (as Timothy Edmund Driscoll)

Storyline

A new world of possibilities awaits, thanks to a revolutionary medical procedure known as Downsizing. Billed as environmentally-friendly, many people choose to downsize for economic benefits. When the kindly occupational therapist, Paul, undergoes the new procedure, finding himself in this brand-new existence, he must choose between a sheltered life or making an impact in his own small way. Can he help save the planet and afford a nice lifestyle at the same time?

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Plot Keywords:

lying woman | flaky woman | aeroplane | lying wife | divorce | 

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Taglines:

We are meant for something bigger.

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language including sexual references, some graphic nudity and drug use.

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Matt Damon's character, Paul, pulls up to his new downsized home, his driver says; 'welcome to the good life". Paul makes a face in response. "The good life" is the state motto of Nebraska, the home he had just left.

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Goofs

At Paul and Audrey's farewell party, Leisureland on the cake is spell incorrectly spelled Liesureland.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Dr. Andreas Jacobsen: [in Danish to technician who has rushed into his office] Yes, Jørgen?
Dr. Jorgen Asbjørnsen: [in Norwegian] We have it... Andreas, we have it... It works!
[the embrace]

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Crazy Credits

The first half of the end credits feature the camera zooming out from the chest outward of Leonardo da Vinci's famous drawing Vitruvian Man.

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Connections

Referenced in CTV News at 11:30 Toronto: Episode dated 10 June 2016 (2016)

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Soundtracks

The Greatest
Written by Anita Bias, Paris Strother & Amber Strother
Performed by King (as KING)
Courtesy of KING Creative

User Reviews

Not the movie I expected, but better!

If you're expecting a goofball, raunchy comedy, this isn't it, hence some of the bad reviews. This movie was more mature than the trailers lead on, but there is plenty of well-timed comedy, intertwined with a drama that is deep and emotional. It's the story of an underachieving man's journey from a unsatisfied life, seeking change for the wrong reasons, only to unexpectedly find true purpose and love in process. If that's a plot that peaks your interest, than this movie delivers. The leading Vietnamese lady love interest steals the show! If you're a grown up, with a developed taste for script over cheap vulgar laughs and attention span to appreciate a heart warmer, this is worth your money.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Instagram

Country:

USA Norway

Language:

English Spanish Norwegian French Korean Greek Vietnamese

Release Date:

22 December 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

Downsizing

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Toronto Studios, Port Lands, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$68,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,954,287, 24 December 2017

Gross USA:

$24,449,754

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$55,003,890

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Ad Hominem Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1