Cronenberg's "Cosmopolis" mirrors troubled times

AAA??May. 25, 2012?8:30 AM ET
Cronenberg's "Cosmopolis" mirrors troubled times
By THOMAS ADAMSONBy THOMAS ADAMSON, Associated Press??

From left, producer Paulo Branco, actors Sarah Gadon, Robert Pattinson and director David Cronenberg pose during a photo call for Cosmopolis at the 65th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

From left, producer Paulo Branco, actors Sarah Gadon, Robert Pattinson and director David Cronenberg pose during a photo call for Cosmopolis at the 65th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Actor Robert Pattinson, left, and director David Cronenberg pose during a photo call for Cosmopolis at the 65th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)

Actor Robert Pattinson listens to questions during a press conference for Cosmopolis at the 65th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Director David Cronenberg, left, and actor David Cronenberg pose during a press conference for Cosmopolis at the 65th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Actors Robert Pattinson, left, and Sarah Gadon pose during a photo call for Cosmopolis at the 65th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

CANNES, France (AP) ? In the movie "Cosmopolis," director David Cronenberg goes on a visceral day-trip inside the limousine of a tycoon ? who cares little for bloody, populist riots taking place outside his car.

All the young multi-billionaire ? played by a steely Robert Pattison ? wants is a haircut.

In the film, which premieres Friday in Cannes, this portrayal of cold, moneyed arrogance in a dystopian Manhattan is a warning against the perceived greed of current times ? albeit a less than subtle one.

The movie was based on Don DeLillo's novel of the same name, written in 2003 before today's global economic crisis.

But Cronenberg said that while making it last year during the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations, "it seemed at points that we were working more on a documentary."

Associated Press

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