The disaster-comedy, Don't Look Up, is a cinematic allegory for the climate crisis. It parodies the politics of climate inaction through hard-hitting dialogues that resonate well with the viewers. The script of the movie beautifully marries the plot and the characters to describe the inner workings of the United States' politico-media complex.
Don't Look Up is a timely cinematic masterpiece because it censures the dangerous relationship between media and the ruling class. It also delves into how consent is manufactured in the digital age and how dissent works in modern states. The movie will be ed for its thoughtful quotes that compel viewers to ponder real-world issues.
Role Of The Planetary Defense Coordination Office
"Dr. Oglethorpe, Head Of The Planetary Defense Coordination Office. Is That A Real Place?" - Kate Dibiasky
At the beginning of the movie, Michigan State professor, Dr. Randall Mindy and grad student, Kate conclude that the ephemeris of the newly discovered comet Dibiasky keeps getting lower and lower. In other words, the distance between the comet and planet earth is decreasing, and it's headed towards Earth with catastrophic consequences.
Dr. Mindy rings the Kenndy Space Centre to report the strange orbital numbers, and he's told to hold for a certain someone named, Dr. Oglethorpe. Kate, who is quick to look this doctor up online learns he heads The Planetary Defense Coordination Office. The movie features a meta moment to inform the viewers that the PDCO does, in fact, exist. It is a division of NASA and came into existence in the January of 2016. The PDCO is responsible for dealing with the threat of "potentially hazardous objects" such as asteroids and comets.
Personal Interests And Beliefs Of The Naysayers
"Call It 70% And Let's Just Move On." - Janie Orlean
Dr. Oglethorpe finds merit in Dr. Mindy and Dibiasky's findings and accompanies them to bring the report in front of the White House. When president Orlean is told there's a 99.78% chance of impact, she arbitrarily lowers it down to 70%.
Orlean and her staff would rather eschew science for hidden agendas and personal beliefs. This thoughtful dialogue from the movie highlights the political ill will, hidden agendas, apathy, and indifference of naysayers like president Orlean and her son, Jason. This is also one of the quotes from Don't Look Up that captures the frustrating aspects of being a scientist and of articulating science to those who refuse to listen.
Political Inaction
"Okay, At This Very Moment, I Say We Sit Tight And Assess." - Janie Orlean
At the end of this closed-room discussion, President Orlean suggests they sit tight and assess. Dr. Mindy tries to point her in the right direction and iterates that the consequences would be catastrophic for their planet.
10 Best Movies Like Netflix's Don't Look Up
The words resonate strongly with viewers, especially climate change activists, who have time and again raised alarm on the climate crimes of humanity and the indifference of world leaders.
The Public's Right To Know
"How Is It Criminal If We Just Tell People, Like The Public, You Know, What We Saw, And Tell Them The Truth?" - Dr. Randall Mindy
The whistleblowers are fobbed off by the executive and they rush to the next best organ in any democracy - the media. In this case, The New York Herald journalists, seem cooperative at the beginning. They find themselves in a state of shock when their fact-checkers confirm Kate and Mindy's calculations.
After hearing words like "breach of security" at the newspaper office, Dr. Mindy focuses on the public's right to know. His quote leads viewers straight to the distasteful truth of the state secrets privilege. The public's right to know often interferes with the state's right to privacy. Don't Look Up does a great job at depicting just how far the states can go to cover up information.
Role Of Media
"We've Taken That Story As Far As It Goes... I Wish You A Very Pleasant End Of The Times." - New York Herald Journalist
This quote tactfully highlights how social media and mainstream media outlets can perpetuate misinformation about science. Once information about the Dibiasky comet is in the public domain, a tussle between paid and liberal media houses breaks. Government misinformation and disinformation are rampant, and after the head of NASA confirms that the science is not 100% on Kate and Randall's data, The New York Herald drops the story.
Meanwhile, Kate Dibiasky's TV appearance immediately gets a backlash, and Dr. Mindy becomes America's sweetheart. The United States government keeps denying the reality and really just acts in the most self-serving way ever.
Nepotism In The White House
"...But The End Result Was We Had Our Scientists Who Went To The Prestigious Schools Of Harvard, Princeton, Etc... They Confirmed The Data. So, We Would Like To Offer You A Presidential Apology." - Jason Orlean
There's a major change of events immediately after a sex scandal threatens President Orlean's hold on office. Her staff decides to deflect attention by confirming the apocalyptic threat and basically have the FBI arrest Kate, Mindy, and Clayton.
After the three scientists are brought into the White House, Orlean's incompetent son offers them a presidential apology. Jason, played by Jonah Hill, delivers a truly hilarious performance and makes sure the viewers know his mother's government is a sordid family affair. This quote raises concerns about nepotism at the highest seats of government or offices where there's a low margin for mistakes.
America's Hero Problem
"Washington's Always Gotta Have A Hero." - Dr. Clayton Oglethorpe
Through this thoughtful quote, Dr. Oglethorpe points out America's fascination with heroes. When president Orlean says they are going to need a "hero" or the poster child of this save-the-Earth project, Dr. Mindy talks to her about remote satellite technology.
Fact is, there's no need for a hero or guns in the mission, but Washington won't go ahead without choosing one. President Orlean names Benedict Drask, well known for his toxic masculinity as the face of the campaign. Because of their gung-ho mentality, fans even strongly believe Drask and president Janie Orlean would emerge as winners in the Hunger Games.
Remorse And Guilt
"We Really Did Have Everything, Didn't We?" - Dr. Randall Mindy
The Orlean istration aborts the mission soon as her top donor and tech giant, Peter Isherwell discovers comet Dibiasky contains rare minerals. Isherwell and his team at BASH then launch their own campaign to mine the comet for profit.
At the end of it all, the BASH mission fails. Dibiasky, Oglethorpe, and Mindy's family have one last meal together. The comet inevitably hits the earth and Mindy's short and sweet quote stands out. He talks about how humanity's greed to strive for more destroyed the one planet they had. Orlean istration could have saved Earth, had cronyism not come in the way. Mindy is remorseful in the face of extinction and his words should be up there with the best Don't Look Up quotes.
