There’s, to my mind, three ways in which the angriest of us can make an argument, and they’re usually limited to personality type. The first, and most admirable, is violence, which has three subcategories: 1) the promise of threats; 2) a swift uppercut to the opponent’s jaw or unmentionables; and 3) a swift uppercut to the opponent’s mother’s jaw or unmentionables.

The second is the ad hominem, or a frank and honest attack on the opponent’s personal failings, e.g. “Well, I may not be able to take the square root of a negative, but you have the face of an elephant”; and the third, and most reviled, is the obfuscation of language.

Cosmopolis is firmly planted in the third type, so firmly that I’m not even sure if it’s making an argument at all. The characters all have endless monologues laced with ballooned phrases and delivered with no sense of meaning or conviction. For example, early on the protagonist meets up with his wife, who informs him that, “You reek of sexual discharge.”

Even though we might not be huge fans of Robert Patinson’s major works (hey, he was great in Harry Potter though) that doen’t mean we aren’t going to mention when he does something interesting. That’s especially true when he works with one of our favorite directors: David Cronenberg.

That somewhat unusual pairing has resulted in the new film Cosmopolis, which will make its debut at the Cannes Film Festival next month. In the film Pattinson plays Eric Packer, a 28-year old billionaire who likes to mix it up in his personal and profesional life. In short, he’s mad as hell and he’s not going to take it anymore. Plus, he’s about to have a very interesting day – with a little pharmaceutical help of course.

In the clip we get a glimpse of Pattinson as he trades pointed barbs with his wife at a restaurant just before a protest breaks out featuring lots of dead rats. What does it all mean? We’re not entirely sure as we haven’t read the novel by Don DeLillo on which the film is based.

However, we always find Cronenberg interesting and weird is one of the things he does pretty well so we’re going to give this one the benefit of the doubt. Of course, what we’re really waiting for is a sequel to Eastern Promises.

Until then, this will have to do. Check out the clip after the break.

Director David Cronenberg has had quite the eclectic career. First coming on the scene with films such as The Brood, The Fly and Scanners he’s transitioned to more “mainstream” fare with A History of Violence and Eastern Promises. His latest film is Cosmopolis, based on Don DeLillo’s novel

The film is a a study of capitalism in a slightly futuristic metropolis. It stars Robert Pattinson and Samantha Morton and there’s a new trailer being released today. Naturally, we’ve got it for you right here.

In addition to Pattinson, the film stars Jay Baruchel, Samantha Morton, Juliette Binoche, Paul Giamatti, Mathieu Amalric and Sarah Gadon. Check out the trailer after the break.

Look for Cosmopolis to be released in France on May 23 with a wider release to follow.