The Multiverse of Healing

We got not one but two multiverse films from different properties in the last two months! I was astounded by the work that Dan Kwan, Daniel Sheinert (the Daniels), and Sam Raimi put into their movies. At the same time, there were astounding visual effects, quick catchphrases, and talking raccoons. These two movies had a huge similarity in that they were both extraordinary tales that talked about very human concepts. I'm personally a huge advocate for using abstract stories to find the human connection within. These films did a great job in unique ways, showing a deep and intriguing look into our main characters' lives.

In the absolute blast that is Everything Everywhere All at Once, somehow, five people achieved a mountain of VFX work. We see a very relatable story about a mother and daughter throughout that vast multiverse mountain. It is a story about appreciating life and being there for one another. Joy (Stephanie Hsu) was thought to be looking for revenge, but she needed someone to be there for her. She felt that falling into the endless void of a bagel was what she wanted, but in reality, she needed someone who cared enough to move mountains (or rocks) for her. Now, did we need an outrageous plan that entailed trying to suck a whole universe into a bagel to explain Joy's feelings? Not necessarily, but this is what I love about film. You could have told this story in a multitude of ways. This could have been told similarly to Ordinary People (maybe not the best comparison, but you get the point). These are both movies about a troubled family, except one is told in a very gritty and realistic way. The other has a butt plug fight scene and a raccacoonie. The Daniels are providing us with another way to digest what could be a simple person-centered story.

The "immovable rock" Played by Michelle Yeon

On the other side of the story, we had Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh), who shoved her pain to the back of her mind. It isn't until her daughter tells her she hates her and her husband requests a divorce that she discovers she can't outrun her own life. From an action movie star to a renowned chef, she could have had any life. However, throughout all of this, she learns that her opinion of her husband isn't justified when his true nature is revealed. The movie works off perspective and the constant question of "what if"? Sure, you could be happy in one universe, but what is there to appreciate in your own? Evelyn needs to experience the vast universe to accomplish something otherwise impossible. The appreciation of one's own life.

Now don't worry. I still wait in awe to watch people puff into confetti or pop like a balloon by a strong leading woman, but these stories have something so lovely at their heart. I've seen conversations around Multiverse of Madness summing up that Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) did nothing during the movie besides finally closing the book with the love of every version of his life. But hello, this is huge. This love for Christine (Rachel McAdams) isn't just a fling. It is such a bond that multiple versions of Steven Strange have crumbled their universes trying to be with her. Coming to terms with the loss of what they could have been in this extravagant story is colossal character development for the previous sorcerer supreme. We have witnessed one collapse their whole universe trying to turn back time and the other merge universes trying to be with her. Steven has finally found peace; he was just a man moving through life lying about his happiness at weddings. Now he can finally move on and fix the universal mess he created. This story of losing someone and moving on has been told thousands of times. It's nice to see a fresh take on the boy loses girl storyline, even if that isn't what Marvel fans expected.

Clipped from "What If?" showing the only universe where Christine and Steven were happy together.

At the end of the day, movies are a way to communicate and find that special someone to speak to and have a conversation with. How we decide to converse as filmmakers is essential and can lead to fascinating ways to express human nature. That's why more absurd movies like Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Doctor Strange need to be made! They both uniquely connect viewers with universal feelings through the absurd, and I cannot wait to see more.