Downsizing (2017)

Norwegian scientists make a scientific breakthrough when they discover how to miniaturize humans to five inches in height. The overall plan is to downsize the human population gradually to save the planet from overpopulation. Many years later the plan is put into implementation and a married couple (Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig) decide to take the plunge. But things don't go as planned. Co-written and directed by Alexander Payne (SIDEWAYS), this often witty satire gets darker as it progresses until it becomes quite poignant. Paramount is doing the film a disservice in its marketing and trailers by suggesting a whimsical comedy. While the movie is rich in humor, it's concerned with weightier issues and I fear people going in expecting a whimsical comedy are going to be disappointed and perhaps even resent the film for not being funny enough. The film features a stand out performance by the Vietnamese actress Hong Chau as a political dissident now reduced to cleaning houses. It does run a bit longer than it should but Payne's wit and humanity keeps the schmaltz at bay. With Christoph Waltz, Jason Sudeikis, Neil Patrick Harris, Laura Dern, Margo Martindale and Udo Keir.