Mark Kermode reviews Maps to the Stars

Mark Kermode reviews Maps to the Stars. David Cronenberg’s latest drama, charting the trials of a Hollywood family chasing celebrity.
Please tell us what you think of the film -- or Mark’s review of the film below. We love to include your views on the show every Friday.
www.bbc.co.uk/5...
Fridays at 2pm on BBC 5 live.

[@truongindustries]

this was like a 2 hour episode of Entourage directed by David Lynch

[@joshdea7]

Lol haven't seen the film but that description sounds either really awesome or really bad, I can't tell.

[@truongindustries]

Josh Deaton well I really liked it

[@MegaMajestics]

Josh Deaton its good thing not Cronenberg's best but certainly a return to form.

[@papachewie1280]

....or David Cronenberg

[@92ninersboy]

Quite a brilliant film - the sublime and the ridiculous (fantastic acting from Moore, Wasikowska and everyone, down to the minor parts). Mark gives an excellent review (once again), but he misses the very sad and moving parts of the film, which are also an important element - it's not ALL shrieks and laughter, there's a lot more going on that makes this a work that will last long past the initial shocks and body blows. "Maps" is over-the-top, but there's also, believe it or not, some very subtle layers going on. The film just keeps getting better with repeated viewings; it takes some distance and time to really absorb everything.

[@Garland67]

Also, we have to remember the Greek tragedy theme and that there was no way for any of these people to live happily due to their incestuous circumstances. I don't want to give away any plot points, but their family secrets made death inevitable. Too, let's not forget the symbolism of fire: the thing that consumes all. Hollywood is seen here as a destroyer and a consumer of souls.

[@Starzagal]

Good analysis there- agreed

[@Diamond_tip]

Wow very exceptional view!

[@cathyforgue]

Thank you for such an informed, detailed, educated review on Croneberg's film collection and this movie, Maps to the Stars.

[@DontEatPandas]

Wow Ive been so excited to see this film and Mark definitely solidified my reasonings for needing to see it. Now Im as anxious to see it as ever.

[@GreenGretel]

Julianne Moore should have won the Oscar for this instead of Still Alice, but of course the Academy would never embrace THIS sort of movie about Hollywood.

[@relinquis]

I wonder why they didn't cast Vigo Mortensen as the father? He would have been amazing.

[@92ninersboy]

I've read that Viggo was originally going to be in it, but the schedules got conflicted so he had to bow out.

[@Batman-wo3vm]

Huh? It's Thursday! What is this sorcery?

[@jonny5779]

Julianne Moore is brilliant in the film i agree...but Mia was really something as this cracked character. The whole cast is just Superb, and helmed by a real genius!

[@herbg4866]

But she STILL won an Oscar!

[@SamDavies94]

Just finished the film! I enjoyed it, Cronenberg can be hit and miss with me, and I tend to find I have to be in the mood for a Cronenberg film to warrant watching it. That being said I really enjoyed it, the fragmented narrative begun as part of a chore and resulted in something which I assumed was meant to leave me with a sense of closure, but it didn't. The Acting was fantastic, as the good doctor said, Moore is terrific! I also admired the way in which Cronenberg was able to hold a static shot on characters and allow the charisma and the acting ability to move the scenes along, yet this allowed the shots with movement to be more noticeable, and left me questioning the purpose of the movement at times. The film almost suffered from the Lynchian aspects, specifically the focus on a female actor within Hollywood, but more notably the low undertones in the sound design surrounding numerous scenes. This brought to question whether the scenes themselves would be brooding without the music, unfortunately I'm not sure. I'd give it 4/5. Oh and the CGI fire was one of the worst things I've seen in a long time, especially coming from a director who has made a name for himself and his work with practical effects

[@sepiarain]

The brood is easily my favourite DC.

[@diskochimp]

Terrific film, a very (un)pleasant surprise.

[@Asphyxiadyslexia]

Spoilers:: When she killed her with the award I definitely got this metaphorical vibe that it was showing the young literally beating the older actress out of the award. Like the young actresses are literally "killing" the careers of the older more seasoned actresses. Not that this is always the case, but it's definitely something in Hollywood that's an unfortunate truth.

[@aerialkate]

Julianne Moore didn't even get nominated for the Oscar for this film. Was nominted for 'Still Alice' instead. It's a shame because she should win one, and she should win for something she was genuinely good in. Oscars tonight so....I'm _still_ hoping she wins, but she'll win for the wrong role.

[@Eliguitar1]

i was wondering if mr K would notice the Brood parallels...and he has. well observed Mark.

[@cygil1]

Seems like this territory has already been well and truly trod in "Inland Empire", or even "Wild Palms".

[@BatteryExhausted]

Last night I was debating whether to watch 'The Finest Hours' but after watching this review I settled on 'Maps To The Stars' instead. I am a big Cronenbourg fan and was pleased that this was the perfect antidote to the 'Golden Age Of Hollywood' style Disney trash I was considering. However, I did find the ending to be a bit weak. I liked the resolution and imagery - The 'award' scene juxtaposition was wonderful. I just felt the very end was a bit like a fade out rather than a crash. Still, better time spent than that Disney rubbish and nice to see the irony of a big Hollywood film attack L.A. so savagely.

[@alphabetaxenonzzzcat]

Wrong BBFC rating posted. It's an "18" not a "15". I re-watched it last night. Still quite interesting. Yeah, great performance from Julianne Moore. Bruce Wagner(the writer) also wrote "Wild Palms"(the mini series for TV in the early 1990s) - and that has similar themes of dealing with identity and the locales of LA.

[@jimglidewell]

Oh - that explains it. I definitely got the same vibes off the child actor as I did from the creepy son in Wild Palms. I still think Wild Palms is under-appreciated - I thought it was delightfully odd.

[@alphabetaxenonzzzcat]

@@jimglidewell Yeah, Wild Palms is a sort of forgotten TV mini series - especially nowadays. I am a fan of that.

[@Lilyanna298]

I liked the film, but the story isn't enough to make me want to see it again. If I saw it again it would be for Julianne Moore's acting.

[@atikahbisyir4031]

The story is not so good i think, but i saw map to the star because of julianne moore in it. If i wsee again thats because i want see julianne acting again hh🤷🤷

[@PauLtus_B]

Well you got me interested. And a Kermode Award for Jullianne Moore then?

[@Tiza123m]

I have to say that with everything thats came out about Hollywood in the past few months, this movie is just alot more...real now! I want to watch it AGAIN , but from a "post Weinstein" perspective. Thats just makes it alot creepier too. Also, did anyone noticed that Young boy was a "spot on" Shia La Buff? Coincidence ?

[@chrishiggins7166]

The film maybe unoriginal & boring, however the film’s well acted, well written, well directed, stylish & is A dark drama film. (69%) (3.5/5 stars) (positive)

[@Luvie1980]

Aren't we all chasing celebrity in some way? This movie sounds interesting.

[@philghouri]

you might - I chase ... eternity ...

[@Luvie1980]

philomshalom You don't know me. But I ask you this: why do you dress the way you do and buy the things you buy?

[@lakedistrict2024]

Luvie1980 my mum buys my clothes for me...

[@Luvie1980]

AnthonyB14 Why are you commenting then? What did you do change your screen name to reply to my comment?

[@johnPaul-qn3dg]

I have to say no, living in a fishbowl would horrify me, I am not even on facebook. But I go with the bard:“Nothing is so common as the desire to be remarkable.” Shakespeare

[@rbdriftin]

It's an 18, not a 15.

[@sarahmartin9107]

I couldn't bear it, or finish it. It could've been a documentary, it was awfully true feeling, but hideous

[@heatrayzvideo3007]

Sounds neat

[@eyeseer1]

The pretentious poison pen letter of celebrity culture, populism, dignity, status, narcissism and values which Cronenberg revels emotional and psychological nerves of self-interest.

[@ericthompson5875]

Was the boy's actor bad in this? Every scene with him felt awkward to me.

[@chipoftheundead]

Such a great movie, completely ruined for me by the crap fire by the pool scene. Such cheap special effects snapped me out of the movie completely. Whoever allowed that scene to be done like that should be ashamed. It really, really needed to be believable. Fire was a theme through this whole movie. To sabotage it at a crucial moment with the cheapest, fakest, low budget sci fi effects said "I don't care about this movie". It deserved so much better. Never has one short scene destroyed a movie so badly. Such a shame.

[@franklatona7094]

I LIKED THIS MOVIE A LOT. HOWEVER I AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT CHEAPLY DONE FIRE SCENE NEAR THE END. IT DIMINISHED THE INTRIGUE OF THE WHOLE FILM

[@nms7872]

​@@franklatona7094WHY U YELLING

[@atikahbisyir4031]

That films is interesting only because of julianne moore acting. Without her i think the story not so well

[@philghouri]

Robbie Collin anyone?

[@Luvie1980]

philomshalom Who?

[@philghouri]

Clearly my comment is lacking in Robbie Collin Support.

[@GauntLife]

^

[@williambudd1209]

I've just seen it... absolutely hated it. Some people walked out. Do not waste your time

[@SpiltSunlight]

This film was truly bad. I laughed all the way through, and although some scenes were clearly written to be funny, and succeeded, the film as a whole is a boring, pretentious mess.