Coastal Elites

Coastal Elites is an exceptional film from 2020 starring an A-list cast, including the sensational Bette Midler, Kaitlyn Dever, and Dan Levy. The film is a transformative work that skillfully bridges reality and fiction, presenting the mesh of political satire, comedy, and drama through the lens of five unique perspectives. With the directorship of Jay Roach – renowned for his work on politically charged films – and the screenwriting of Paul Rudnick, Coastal Elites, originally designed for stage monologues, swiftly adapted into a screen production amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Set in 2020, the movie largely responds to the backdrop of significant events such as the COVID-19 crisis and the U.S. election year. Primarily, the film grapples with the social and political complexities of the time and takes its audience on a review of the contemporary world. It taps into the uncertainties, anxieties, and reactions of real-world situations and poses thoughtful reflection on how society as a whole has been influenced by these momentous happenings.

The story unfolds with five interconnected monologues that are spoken by characters originating from different corners of American society. Each character is linked to each other by the socio-political context of the United States, and they articulate their trials, experiences, and the prevailing realities of 2020 in a remarkable, unforgettable manner.

Bette Midler, hugely celebrated for her storied career in film, theater, and music, portrays Miriam Nessler, a Jewish New Yorker and long-time public school teacher, whose monologue commences the film. She, while being interrogated in a police station, offers rants against the Trump Administration, showcasing Midler’s excellent comic timing while also incorporating a profound humane aspect to her performance.

Kaitlyn Dever, who rose to fame with her performance in the textbook and Netflix series Unbelievable, plays Sharynn Tarrows. She brings to life a young nurse who moved from Wyoming to New York City and provides a frontline view of the cruel realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. While her character's mid-western sensibilities initially mark her as an outsider in the metropolis, her empathic, determined demeanor wins over viewers' hearts as she battles multiple issues.

Emmy-award winning star Dan Levy appears as Mark Hesterman, an actor based in West Hollywood who is working on a superhero movie. During an online therapy session, he navigates both his personal insecurities and the pressing conversations around LGBTQ rights, fittingly imparting his character’s individual struggles and the broader societal issues.

There is also a remarkable portrayal by Sarah Paulson, who forges Clarissa Montgomery, a privileged mindfulness guru from Santa Monica. Paulson brilliantly guides her character on a path of self-discovery, taking the audience along on her poignant journey.

The cast's roster is completed by Issa Rae, well-known for her work in Insecure. She plays the character of Callie Josephson, the daughter of a housekeeper, who was raised alongside the privileged children of her mother's employers.

Director Jay Roach and writer Paul Rudnick have laid out an immersive movie with Coastal Elites that is largely dialogue-driven, diving straight into the cores of their characters with a richly written script. This smartly satirical film allows each character to engage, captivate, and spark a deeper understanding of the issues at hand, precisely defining the human conditions during a considerably transformative time.

Coastal Elites is a glaring reflection of the current state of our world. Subtly combining satire, drama, and social commentary, it becomes a bitingly funny but sincerely empathetic work of film that urges viewers to engage with and think about society's varying degrees of complexities. It provides a platform for its characters to vent, laugh, despair, and hope-- a testament to the resilience of humanity.

Lastly, it is important to note the engaging cinematography and the impressive direction which gives a personal and intimate feel to the viewing experience. Whether one is bemused or captivated by the highly opinionated dialogues, Coastal Elites is undoubtedly compelling and is a unique addition to the cinematic discourses of 2020. Warning audiences to be prepared for a thought-provoking journey, the film's dialogue-heavy take on our contemporary realities provides a fascinating watch and an enlightening commentary on our times.