Let’s talk about Michelle Yeoh and Everything, Everywhere, All At Once
Much have been written about Michelle Yeoh’s award as best actress at the Oscars 2023. Like many women of Asian–Malaysian heritage, I applaud Michelle on her award, and for lighting the fires for the international recognition of Asian actors.
Michelle had kindly endorsed my book “AM I A TIGER?...”. As fellow tigers, the protagonist of my book—Water Tiger Cub (Michelle is also a water tiger) and I—are absolutely thrilled for her.
Beyond her Oscar win, Michelle has used her international fame to bring awareness to the suffering and plight of earthquake victims in Nepal (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/13/opinion/michelle-yeoh-oscars-earthquake-relief.html) and to animal welfare, in her role as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Program.
If we focus on the significance of her award for just Asians, coloured people, and women (as important as they are), we may lose sight of the most important lesson of her win—the opportunity to help fellow human beings, regardless of their nationality, race, and gender. Michelle has demonstrated by her actions, a way to help—simply and effectively. To me, this is the real meaning of the term “inclusivity”—that we help all living things (humans and animals) in need whenever, and wherever we can. I look forward to Michelle continuing to be a role model for promoting positive values—kindness, generosity, and compassion towards all, everywhere.
Everything, Everywhere, All At Once (EEAAO) Wins Best Picture.
The movie has been described as “wacky, weird” a “sci-fi film,” a comedy, a drama etc. I watched it twice. The first time, I found the multiple storylines, and the metaverses a bit confusing. Then I watched the movie a second time, not really thinking about what the movie is about. It was then I appreciated why the movie resonated with audience all over the world.
Below is a summary of the various levels of meaning I took away—from a psychologist’s perspective.
Family dynamics and intergenerational legacies—shown as complex, and complicated involving e.g., familial expectations, the need for approval, filial piety; the difficulties of Evelyn and Waymond, being the “sandwich generation” trying to balance the needs of elderly parents and children, and work-life demands;
Mother and daughter dynamics—illustrated by the on-off relationship between Evelyn and her daughter, Joy. Ultimately, when Evelyn accepts Joy for who she is, says “Ok” and let her go, they found each other again—not in another metaverse—but in the actuality of their lived worlds. Given Michelle’s close relationship with her own mother, I found this theme especially poignant;
Marital dynamics—between Evelyn and Waymond demonstrate the breakdown of a partnership that is short on communication, and long on “what might have been,” for Evelyn. The receipts which she showed to Deidre, the IRS officer, are expressions of Evelyn’s unfulfilled dreams. When Waymond explains to Deidre that Evelyn is spinning out of control because she has just been served with divorce papers, and Deidre empathises due to her own martial breakdown, Evelyn appreciates that Waymond has always been supportive. They found each other again, through this mutual understanding, rather than through marital expectations;
The Metaverses—which Evelyn alternates between can be seen as metaphors for the chaos in Evelyn’s mind when her real life circumstances break down, and the need to escape to a universe where she is a “superhero” is appealing and soothing;
At the Existential level—the movie portrays what life feels like when the protagonists experience meaninglessness, and the need to make sense of their current limited life situations. Ultimately, the protagonists found meaning—in family, love, and joy in the present moment;
At the Spiritual level—perhaps, the most subtle theme of the movie, ideas from Buddhist and Taoist philosophies—that when one accepts one is nothing, void and empty, one can be anything and everything. The spiritual theme of Nothingness is not a form of nihilism, but rather adopting an attitude of being open to what comes into one’s life and embracing the possibilities. The symbol of the bagel (meaninglessness) is neutralized and balanced with the symbol of the “googly eyes,” the idea that one can create meaning in life with expressing kindness, generosity, and compassion.
While the movie’s primary aim is to entertain, it is not just an entertaining film. Its Metaverses portray deeply personal dramas, while its existential, and spiritual themes speak of potentialities and meaningfulness.
The movie’s themes resonate with audience of all culture, nationality, race, and gender worldwide. Although the main storyline showcased the experiences of an Asian migrant family in America, these experiences are not unique to Asians. EEAAO is foremost a movie about human experiences enriched by expressions of empathy, kindness, compassion, and positive values.
I highly recommend the movie for watching and reflection.