I’ve had a surprisingly hard time reviewing Everything Everywhere All at Once, because my reaction to it keeps changing over time. I was avidly anticipating it, like a lot of cinephiles who see the same things done over and over again in films and get all worked up at the prospect of anything new. Watching the movie was hugely fun at first, generating a fast-paced, cleverly controlled chaos almost from the start, seeming to fulfill all its hyped-up promise.

Then the gradual deflation set in, as the film started getting repetitive and losing steam in what seemed like its overlong 139-minute running time.

Initially I was disappointed overall — though, of course, I wanted to give kudos to Daniels (the professional name of writer-director team Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) for their inventiveness and energy. I still felt their film was a tremendous showcase for the talents and charms of the fabulous international star Michelle Yeoh, cast against type in the lead role of Evelyn Wang, the frazzled failure in all areas of life who gradually absorbs strength from her innumerable other selves in the multiverse.