Maps to the Stars (starring Julianne Moore) Movie Review

Maps to the Stars starring Julianne Moore, Mia Wasikowska, and John Cusack is reviewed by Matt Atchity (Editor-in-chief Rottentomatoes.com), Alonso Duralde (TheWrap and Linoleum Knife podcast) and Christy Lemire (www.ChristyLemire.com).
See what other critics are saying: www.rottentomat...
Meet the Weiss family, who are making their way in Hollywood rife with money, fame, envy, and relentless hauntings. Stafford Weiss (John Cusack) is a famed TV self-help therapist with an A-list celebrity clientele. Meanwhile, Cristina Weiss (Olivia Williams) has her work cut out managing the career of their disaffected child-star son, Benjie (Evan Bird), a fresh graduate of rehab at age 13. Yet unbeknownst to them, another member of the Weiss family has arrived in town - mysteriously scarred and tormented Agatha (Mia Wasikowska), just released from a psych ward and ready to start again. She soon works her way into a friendship with a limo driver (Robert Pattinson) and becomes personal assistant to unraveling actress Havana Segrand (Julianne Moore), who is beset by the ghost of her legendary mother, Clarice (Sarah Gadon). But Agatha is on a quest for redemption - and even in this realm of the artificial, and the unearthly, she's determined to find it, no matter what it takes. (C) Focus
/ christylemire
/ matchity
/ aduralde
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[@danpeters00]

Any film that makes you feel the need to watch it again in order to better understand it is doing something right and is effective.

[@wolfstar675]

Finally someone that agrees with me.

[@92ninersboy]

I kind of had the same reaction, I was riveted for the whole film but I wasn't sure I liked it. Over a few days it kept playing around in my head, I kept thinking about it until I decided to check it out a second time. This time I really opened up to it, there are a lot of layers going on and fascinating performances - I got the bigger picture, beyond Hollywood, etc. It's now my favorite film so far this year. It really is worth checking out a second, or third time. Great acting from everyone, Moore and Wasikowska on down, and, as you pointed out, the minor players, too. The film is over-the-top, but it's also quite subtle, definitely a strange but fascinating brew.

[@Melllllzy]

I really enjoyed this movie, found it quite riveting. I don't know if it was good or not, but definitely enjoyable. And whilst I agree with Alonso that the family story is not a particularly hollywood story, I think the way the family handles it is definitely hollywood.

[@MultiplexShow]

The film has its merits, and is certainly intriguing to a point, but I find the satire not very pointed and the result of Maps to be pretty inconsequential. Julianne Moore is really great though, better here than in Still Alice in my opinion.

[@ohthepeppers]

If anyone's curious about seeing this one, watch Mark Kermode's review of it - he has a better grasp of the film than these guys. I like What The Flick, but I feel like the further you stray from very mainstream films, the less reliable their read is on how good a film is.

[@JambonMaker]

I don't know, sometimes I think they're spot on with lesser known films. I remember their review of Holy Motors, I was actually amazed how their feelings towards it were close to mine, and I really liked the film. But yeah sometimes it can be a bit frustrating.

[@MrChaseBlue]

They're not as arthouse-oriented as some critics are such as the ones from the Guardian for example, but they are relative to the numbers KZbin reviewers out there.

[@sanyrub]

He is amazing. A true critic. I think he´s the one I agree the most from the critics I follow on youtube. His views on some of the biggest blockbusters are often not what the majority thinks and I find myself agreeing with him more in those cases too.

[@terrysilvester4720]

Mark Kermode is the Rodger Ebert of this generation. I like WTF but Kermode actually knows what he's talking about.

[@SSCFPA]

Terry Silvester And none of this lot do a rant like Kermode! Some of which are almost works of art in themselves.

[@Powerwolf77]

Why the hell on earth have someone review movies they have not seen..makes no sense.

[@harr77]

Because they didn't... Matt the guy in the middle hadn't seen the movie and he didn't say anything.

[@Powerwolf77]

harr77 so why the fuck have him there if he has no input at least have someone who has seen the movies right.

[@harr77]

Gareth Pilling Oh my god you babies who cry about everything they do. Since they film multiple segments some of which have movies seen by different members of WTF. They decided to just have everyone sit there and film. As long as a person who hasn't seen the film isn't commenting or voting who the fuck cares?

[@Powerwolf77]

Babies lol no.. i just see the point of him being there that is all. I fuckin care that's who..

[@TUBESTEAKNIG]

Gareth Pilling that seriously bugs you?

[@cammameil]

Whoever edited this hates Christie. Why would you use footage of her checking her phone while Alonzo is talking instead of the footage of him talking, unless you want to make her look vapid or self absorbed? Also, maybe they did that on purpose because Christie didn't mention Big Lebowski when talking about Moore's comedic range as an actress. Who knows? It's all speculation.

[@Diamond_tip]

You can just tell that Christies holes are truly vapid.

[@sleuthentertainment5872]

Are you a young director with greedy dreams about be famous and walk through the bright streets in Hollywood? David Cronenberg gives you this film as an advice to change your mind.

[@Phi1618033]

I believe Ben Mankiewicz is playing the Ben Mankiewicz role of not being there.

[@Shadowman4710]

LOL....he takes more vacation days than George Bush.

[@Nielsen700]

Saw this back in September. Quality cinema.

[@MOTU9000]

I watched this film last weekend, and I have to agree with Alonso. This is a film I'll have to watch a couple more times in order to really grasp how I feel about it. Overall, I think I liked it, at least because of the performances and the way the film was shot.

[@Shadowman4710]

Sometimes those end up being my personal favorites...

[@llupescu]

To me, this movie felt like a dark comedy script taken too seriously.

[@jorgeesfull]

I thought Julianne Moore was great. She steals the show, but the movie is kind of messy, it has a lot of subplots but none is really explored. I thought that the movie told too many things but none of them was really clear. It is an interesting film, but I wouldn't say it's a good one. I would watch it again just as a showcase for Julianne Moore.

[@sebastianalegria3401]

Maps to the stars was one of the 1st movies I saw and felt attracted by Rob Pattinson, the scene that I remember the most was seeing Pattinson in a s3x scene with Julianne Moore into a limousine, it blew my mind.

[@Powerwolf77]

Oh and while you talk to me about maps to the stars i best check my fucking phone.. jesus are these reviewers for real..

[@xellestar]

she was looking up the name of the actor who played the kid. man do you even watch the video lol

[@Powerwolf77]

Yeah i watched. do they even do research. Amatures.. i watch loads of reviewers and these are the some of the worst on youtube.

[@xellestar]

Gareth Pilling troll on bro

[@streamermoment]

I think she was googling the actors name

[@killerbee2562]

Is it me or is the trailer music way to dramatic for the film's subjects matter?

[@stephenshea7909]

Really liked the movie. Jullianne Moore is a goddess.I feel like she should have won her Oscar for this movie but at least she won one.

[@streamermoment]

Why focus on Christy being on her phone? are her notes there? so weird?

[@SoulStylistJukeBox]

I flat out love this. So wonderfully bizarre.

[@wolfstar675]

That's good Alonso the fact that you want to see it again is what happened to me. The second time i liked it and understood way more.

[@abbiscar1]

When someone is talking to you, generally what people tend to do is to look them in the eye. That is called engaging in a conversation. You should look into that. Just saying. Sincerely your neighbourhood friendly African.

[@djdarkosd]

I finally watched this movie last night. I have to say that I'm in agreement with Alonso and Christy Lamire. But after I thought about it, I did enjoy it and I think would appreciate better the second time.

[@dougo891]

Maybe Christy shouldn't be checking her phone...especially during this particular review.❗❗❗????

[@backpackmatt]

"Terrible, terrible star." Yeah, that comment certainly doesn't reek of misogynism.

[@Darwinfeeshy]

Alonso's shirt is so awesome.

[@LPantelakos]

I would consider myself a Cronenberg fan, but there are those Cronenberg movies that I don't like, and I can't fathom why anyone else would like them either. I guess I just have a love/hate relationship with the guys work, and I just hated Maps to the Stars.

[@csjcsj2906]

Exactly agree with the both of them, except I prefer Moore in Still Alice. She was still great in Maps to the Stars.

[@danpeters00]

Christy and Julianne Moore could be sisters.

[@kavendano14]

Awesome shirt Alonso's rocking

[@wolfstar675]

Well I have watched twice and the second time i appreciated more and now i really like the film.

[@amarcini421]

thank god Atchity was here, otherwise we'd be completely lost.

[@NoExitLoveNow]

Is she checking her email while shooting this video, or are those her notes?

[@ibrahimaballer23]

Can you guys do a Q&A

[@gonetubing]

I thought it was much better than a 6.

[@PhantasmagoricSplend]

Twisted but I thought it started to get predictable. Julianne Moore was a psycho in this. Made me angry lol. I don't think her mom molested her. I think she's just batshit crazy. And the Mia character is just constantly abused and people get mad when she gets psycho? Frustrating movie.

[@BobSullivanAKABuffy]

Loved Julianne and little else.

[@MrDesertBrad]

I really hated this movie. Total waste of time. I was so disappointed. They tried to make it suspenseful and failed. The ending is garbage and makes no sense. It reminded me of a story my 5 year old daughter would tell. If you like Julianne watch Still Alice she is great in that.

[@BottleConcreteBlond]

I am really not interested in movies or books about movie people in Hollywood. I live in LA and I have enough of these entitled psychos as it is.

[@wolfstar675]

What psychos? Unless you are talking about criminals because what other psychos? Don't be fucking ridiculous.

[@BottleConcreteBlond]

Enrique Godinez Fuck off.

[@wolfstar675]

BottleConcreteBlond You fuck off. Pyschos? Hahaha

[@BottleConcreteBlond]

Enrique Godinez You think it's funny that you are amoral and antisocial behavior, lack of ability to love or establish meaningful personal relationships, extreme egocentricity, failure to learn from experience, etc. Yeah. I think that's funny too. Just stay away from children and animals.