Cosmopolis

Director David Cronenberg puts together his weirdest movie in a decade with this uneven adaptation of Don DeLillo’s best-selling novel. Cronenberg wrote the screenplay and cast Robert Pattinson as Eric Packer, a Manhattan billionaire who is riding around for a night in a stretch limo in search of a haircut. He interacts with the likes of Juliette Binoche, Sarah Gadon and Jay Baruchel in what is ultimately a pointless affair speckled by brilliant moments. Pattinson doesn’t have the chops to pull off such a complicated role, but he gives it a go. (To his credit, this would be a tough gig for any actor.) The film is beautifully shot and features a sweet, pulsating soundtrack. Cosmopolis is alternately mesmerizing and dull, with dialogue that is a little hard to decipher at times. Only Paul Giamatti, in a small but pivotal role, seems to know exactly what Cronenberg was shooting for. His few minutes are the movie’s best.