COLOSSAL (2017)

Summary:

Colossal is a unique blend of science fiction, comedy, and drama, centering on Gloria, an unemployed writer with a penchant for partying. After being dumped by her frustrated boyfriend, Tim, she moves back to her quiet hometown, only to discover a bizarre and terrifying connection to a giant monster that is inexplicably appearing and wreaking havoc in Seoul, South Korea. Her seemingly innocuous actions in a local playground are mirrored by the colossal creature, leading her to grapple with the immense and destructive power she unknowingly wields.

As Gloria tries to understand and control her newfound, devastating ability, she reconnects with Oscar, a childhood friend who now owns a local bar. However, the initial camaraderie soon sours when Oscar discovers his own terrifying connection to a giant robot that also manifests in Seoul, mirroring his movements. The film cleverly uses its fantastical premise to explore themes of addiction, self-destruction, toxic relationships, and the profound impact of one's actions on a global scale, culminating in a darkly comedic yet emotionally resonant showdown between two unlikely kaiju pilots.

Keywords: Colossal, 2017, Anne Hathaway, Jason Sudeikis, Nacho Vigalondo, Sci-Fi, Comedy, Drama, Monster, Kaiju, Seoul, Addiction, Toxic Relationship.

Plot:

The film opens with Gloria (Anne Hathaway) living a chaotic, party-filled life in New York City. Her excessive drinking and unemployment lead her boyfriend, Tim (Dan Stevens), to break up with her and kick her out of their apartment. With nowhere else to go, Gloria reluctantly returns to her childhood home in a small, sleepy town. Her house is empty, filled with boxes from her parents' move, and she struggles to find a job or purpose, continuing her pattern of heavy drinking and late nights.

One morning, Gloria wakes up to news reports of a gigantic, lizard-like monster appearing in Seoul, South Korea, causing massive destruction before vanishing. The monster's appearance is brief but devastating. Later, while walking through a local playground after a particularly heavy night of drinking, Gloria notices an odd coincidence: the monster in Seoul scratched its head at the exact moment she did. Dismissing it as a strange fluke, she tries to ignore it. However, the next day, after another night out, she deliberately walks into the playground at the same time the monster appears on the news. To her horror, she watches on her phone as the monster mirrors her every movement, from waving its arm to doing a little dance. She is the monster.

Gloria confides in Oscar (Jason Sudeikis), a childhood friend who now owns the local bar where she spends most of her time. Oscar, initially skeptical, witnesses Gloria demonstrate her connection in the playground, confirming her unbelievable claim. He is both amazed and intrigued, offering her a job at his bar to help her get back on her feet. Gloria, overwhelmed by the realization of the destruction she's causing, tries to stop entering the playground, but her addiction and subconscious pull often lead her back, resulting in more chaos in Seoul. She tries to apologize to the people of Seoul through a public statement online, which only makes her a global laughingstock and further fuels her despair.

The situation takes a darker turn when Oscar, fueled by a mixture of jealousy, resentment, and a desire for control, enters the playground himself. To everyone's shock, a giant robot, reminiscent of a Japanese mecha, appears alongside the monster in Seoul, mirroring Oscar's movements. Oscar, who has always felt overshadowed and stuck in his hometown, revels in this newfound power. He begins to manipulate Gloria, using his control over the robot to threaten her. He forces her to enter the playground and perform specific actions, even making her hurt herself, warning her that if she doesn't comply, he will cause more destruction with his robot, which he demonstrates by stomping on buildings.

The dynamic between Gloria and Oscar devolves into a toxic power struggle. Oscar's true, manipulative nature emerges, revealing a deep-seated bitterness and a desire to control Gloria, stemming from their childhood. He uses his monstrous avatar to intimidate her, forcing her to stay in town and work for him, isolating her from her friends Garth (Tim Blake Nelson) and Joel (Austin Stowell). The destruction in Seoul escalates, with the monster and robot frequently clashing, causing immense collateral damage and loss of life. The world watches in terror and confusion, unaware that the two colossal beings are merely extensions of two deeply flawed individuals in a small American town.

Tim, Gloria's ex-boyfriend, eventually tracks her down in her hometown, hoping to reconcile. He is initially confused and then horrified by Gloria's bizarre claims about being a monster. He witnesses Oscar's increasingly aggressive behavior and the strange dynamic between them. Oscar, seeing Tim as a threat to his control over Gloria, becomes more volatile, using the robot to demonstrate his power and scare Tim away. This confrontation further solidifies Gloria's understanding of Oscar's true, dangerous character. She realizes she cannot escape him or the consequences of their shared power unless she confronts him directly.

In a climactic confrontation, Gloria decides to take a stand. She calls Oscar out, refusing to be controlled any longer. Oscar, enraged, enters the playground, intending to cause massive destruction with his robot. Gloria, however, has a plan. Instead of entering the playground herself, she realizes that the monster appears where she *is*. She packs a bag and buys a one-way ticket to Seoul. As Oscar, in the playground, prepares his robot to unleash devastation, Gloria lands in Seoul. The monster, her avatar, appears right where she is, in the heart of the city, confronting Oscar's robot.

The final showdown is both epic and personal. Oscar, through his robot, tries to attack Gloria's monster. But with Gloria physically present in Seoul, she can control the monster's actions with precision. She uses the monster not to fight, but to grab Oscar's robot, then throws it through the portal, back into their hometown's playground. The robot, now controlled by Oscar's actions in Seoul, appears in the playground, a colossal, destructive force. Oscar, still in the playground, is now confronted by his own creation. The monster, Gloria's avatar, then steps on the tiny Oscar in the playground, effectively crushing him and ending his reign of terror. The robot in Seoul, now without its controller, vanishes. The monster, having fulfilled its purpose, also vanishes.

The film ends with Gloria, now free from Oscar's manipulation and the monster's curse, sitting in a bar in Seoul. She has taken responsibility for her actions and found a way to end the destruction. She orders a drink, but then, with a moment of reflection, decides against it, pouring it out. She has broken free from her addictions and the destructive patterns that defined her. The people of Seoul, initially terrified, now see her as a savior. Gloria, having faced her inner demons and confronted true evil, finally begins her journey of self-redemption.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Anne Hathaway as Gloria
• Jason Sudeikis as Oscar
• Dan Stevens as Tim
• Austin Stowell as Joel
• Tim Blake Nelson as Garth

Crew:

• Director: Nacho Vigalondo
• Writer: Nacho Vigalondo
• Producers: Nahikari Ipiña, Russell Levine, Nicolas Chartier, Zev Foreman
• Cinematography: Eric Kress
• Editor: Luke Doolan
• Music: Bear McCreary

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: April 7, 2017 (United States)
• Language: English
• Genre: Sci-Fi, Comedy, Drama
• Running Time: 110 minutes
• Accolades: Fantasia International Film Festival - Best Film (Cheval Noir Award), Sitges Film Festival - Best Actress (Anne Hathaway)