Up short
Ironically, Downsizing comes up short. An ingenious central conceit can’t stretch 35 minutes and the emotional pay-off is mately unsatisfying. Damon delivers an appealing performance kind-hearted everyman seduced by nce, but he is overshadowed by scenealing and sometimes garish supporting formances. Two-time Oscar winner Waltz furiously ws scenery as an ageing, foul-mouthed ario, while Thai-born actress Chau, whose ents were Vietnamese refugees, could snag first Oscar nomination for her eyehing portrayal of an outspoken dissident, o was downsized against her will. The character’s broken English is a high e act, strung tightly between hilarity and al caricature.
I was charmed as Chau walked that trope but some audiences may feel she bles alarmingly and tumbles off.