Here’s the thing. There are a lot of people who are unhappy with the way their lives turned out. Or they have relationships that they wish were different. Regret is a universal theme. And this movie explores what might have been for characters in those circumstances with the possibility of changing those things in their past that they regret, while at the same the movie maintains a surreality and sense of humor that’s memorable and endearing.

I think it might resonate more with people who have lived long enough to experience that feeling of “is this all there is?”—and I don’t mean younger people whose lives are still mostly ahead of them. I mean those people who are divorced or contemplating divorce, parents with disappointing relationships with their adult children, those caring for an older family member who feel trapped. There’s a reason most actors in the film are in their 50s and 60s, as well as 40s.

If you didn’t like it, maybe that’s why. I finally reread The Great Gatsby when I was approaching middle age and it resonated with me in a way that it didn’t when I was in high school, to the point where it became one of my favorite novels. You are literally and figuratively a different person when you experience something at a later age.

I’m not suggesting everyone of a certain age or experience should like this movie. I’m just saying it might be why some didn’t connect with it.

What movie from last year did you think deserved to be “best picture”?

Yes, you’re strange for not loving EEAAO.

Seriously though, while you may have horrible taste, that’s ok. Everyone is allowed to have at least one fault and still be a good person.

Edit: yeesh, tough crowd around here. Seems my joke fell flat.

I saw it before all the hype and loved it. Maybe the hype hurts the experience?

Imagine the people it might appeal to

• If you’re Asian
• If you’re Asian American
• if you were an American immigrant
• if you like comedies
• if you like action movies
• if you like choreographed fights
• if you like absurdist humour
• if you had a bad relationship with your parents
• if you’re LGBT
• if you like multiverse sci fi
• if you like cool costumes
• if you like set pieces
• if you like family drama
• if you like pop culture references. -if you like creative cinematography
• if you like Michelle Yeoh
• if you like Jamie Lee Curtis
• If you like Ke huy quans comeback

This movie is maximalist, so it hits a lot of things at the same time, so naturally people may tack on to whatever they are attracted to. If none of the above fits you, then so be it

The best way to watch EEAAO is knowing nothing about it. Its never going to be what you expect and if you go in expecting too much, you’re likely to be disappointed. Sounds very much like the hype might be why you feel the way you do.

Personally, I love it because there is more than just weirdness to it. It manages to have quite deep and emotional moments that fit naturally amongst everything that is going on. For example:

It’s this deeper side and the depth and realism of the characters that really elevate the movie for me and lead to me still thinking about it months later. That’s why it’s more than just a cult hit IMO, but you aren’t wrong if you disagree.