‘Don’t Look Up’ review: Star turns and grim comedy as a deadly comet targets Earth

There are nearly as many Hollywood heavyweights in Adam McKay’s Don’t Look Up as there are stars in the galaxy – and at least one rogue comet. A low-ranking astronomer professor and a PhD student learn to their horror that this comet is going to smash into Earth in six months and 14 days. Another discovery follows for Randall (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Kate (Jennifer Lawrence). Nearly nobody cares, certainly not the President of the United States.

A meeting between Randall, Kate and their only ally, the scientist Ogelthorpe (Rob Morgan), is a disaster. President Janie Orlean (Meryl Streep) is distracted by an upcoming mid-term election. Her son Jason (Jonah Hill), the Chief of Staff at the White House, would prefer to hear the bad news from an Ivy League professor.

The news leaks out anyway, leading not to the expected panic but a circus of apathy. Dad-bod Randall finds himself an overnight sensation after an appearance on a frivolous television show hosted by Brie (Cate Blanchett) and Jack (Tyler Perry). Kate, who has a meltdown on the show, becomes the object of cruel memes but earns the admiration of drifter Yule (Timothee Chalamet). Meanwhile, the comet hurtles unerringly toward Earth.

The shenanigans of politicians and military generals…

Read more