Earning rave reviews in Venice, followed by a much more modest reception at TIFF, it remains to be seen how Alexander Payne‘s “Downsizing” will land in the awards season. Paramount is certainly trying to revive interest in the high concept dramedy, with a new trailer that swings right for mainstream audiences, by highlighting its unique, oddball premise.
Starring Matt Damon, Christoph Waltz, Hong Chau and Kristen Wiig, the story follows and everyday schlub who decides to shrink himself, and join the world of literally smaller people, in order to change his life. When his wife bails on the procedure at the last minute, he’s forced to face the future alone. Here’s the official synopsis:
READ MORE: Alexander Payne’s ‘Downsizing’ With Matt Damon, Christoph Waltz And Kristen Wiig [Review]
Downsizing imagines what might happen if, as a solution to over-population, Norwegian scientists discover how to shrink humans to five inches tall and propose a 200-year global transition from big to small. People soon realize how much further money goes in a miniaturized world, and with the promise of a better life, everyman Paul Safranek (Matt Damon) and wife Audrey (Kristen Wiig) decide to abandon their stressed lives in Omaha in order to get small and move to a new downsized community — a choice that triggers life-changing adventures.
“Downsizing” opens on December 22nd.