Cinema

I ORIGINS (2014)

166391

“Every living person on this planet has their own unique pair of eyes”

Could the eyes truly be the window to the soul?

A molecular biologist, Ian Adam (Michael Pitt) is researching the evolution of eyes and makes a discovery that could have far reaching consequences to humanity’s understanding of life as it is currently seen.

Science and spirituality have long been at odds with each other, one based in factual proof and the other takes its evidence from faith. It seems that nowadays the gab between the two subjects is decreasing. If you look to the Hindu scriptures there is a lot of science there as there is in the Torah and many other religions but are often ignored by modern day scientists, as the proof has not been studied or proven in a controlled environment.

Mike Cahill directs his second feature with I Origins and, as with Another Earth the lines between science and spiritual are beautifully blurred. Here, the interplay between critical thinking and religion, logic and faith is wonderfully explored.

When Karen (Brit Marling) joins the molecular research team she starts an study to find out if non-seeing creatures can be given eyes/sight, this leads to some incredible findings and takes us on this journey that asks some serious questions. Ian (the reliably interesting Pitt) takes pictures of eyes as part of his work and becomes obsessed with one girl’s eyes that belongs to a mysterious girl he has recently met and goes on a journey to find her again. The owner of the said eyes is Sofi (Astrid Bergès-Frisbey) a beautiful, ethereal model and her performance is filled with a deep knowledge of the other, the spirit.

Brit Marling is no stranger to these types of films, she is obviously fiercely intelligent and chooses her roles carefully. We’ve recently seen her in ‘Sound of My Voice’ and (also directed by Mike Cahill) ‘Another Earth’, two fascinating films that also ask big questions about humanity.

Support comes from Steven Yuen (The Walking Dead) and Archie Punjabi (East is East) and they infuse their performances with intelligence and presence.

The soundtrack is put together by Will Bates & Phil Mossman and is both haunting and beautiful and is definitely worth a listen:

 

This exploration of big philosophical themes and ideas; the idea of God, reincarnation, life after death and love across time, all come together in this fascinating film.

4/5

BUY THE DVD HERE

DOWNLOAD THE FILM ON iTUNES HERE

INHERENT VICE (2014)

IV POSTER

Set in 1970, private investigator Larry ‘Doc’ Sportello is visited by his ex-girlfriend who asks him to look into a possible sting operation on her current real estate mogul boyfriend by his wife and her lover and so, gets embroiled in a tangled web of secrets, Nazis, crazy dentists and tightly wound police men.

I like Paul Thomas Anderson and he is one of the few directors whose films I will definitely watch and always look forward to them.

Inherent Vice is very enjoyable, as complicated as may be; Anderson steeps us in this L.A. noir world that is unusually bright for a Noir film.

Adapted from Thomas Pynchon’s book of the same name, this is a journey through the complex world of a private detective, his ex-girlfriend, her housing mogul boyfriend and an array of weird and wonderful characters.

I haven’t read the book yet but will be doing so very soon.

The great Joaquin Phoenix plays the P.I., Larry ‘Doc’ Sportello whose penchant for the greener type of smoking infuses the film with a heady haziness that is a lot of fun once you accept it for what it is. The audience is mostly always on the same page as Doc, so the ride is as surprising to him as it is to us.

The cinematography by Robert Elswit (Anderson’s regular lenser) is stunning, filled with beautifully composed shots. He recently shot the fantastic Nightcrawler that is also set in L.A. mostly at night whereas Inherent Vice is filled with the L.A. sunshine.

This has the hallmarks of a cult film; there will be midnight screenings for the fans. It is not a film that gen pop will willingly go to, it’s too convoluted for most viewers who like everything neatly tied up and explained but for the adventurous amongst you, this will be a treat.

Anderson was introduced to me, like most of us via the superb Boogie Nights and he followed this with his opus, Magnolia. I went back and watched Hard Eight (cut to ribbons by the studio) which was an enjoyable mess (director’s cut anytime sooon?) and then Punch Drunk Love followed by There Will be Blood and The Master. All of these contain quality storytelling and although I had problems with There Will Be Blood (Daniel Day-Lewis’ incredible performance overshadowing the narrative) Anderson’s oeuvre is filled with incredible performances and always-interesting film-making.

Katherine Waterson (Sam’s daughter) plays the ethereal, Shasta Fay Hepworth and delivers a performance worthy of note; she literally lays herself bare both physically and emotionally. She is an interesting actor whose choices and skills are given free reign here.

The supporting cast are all excellent; Josh Brolin as the angry policeman, Bigfoot, Joanna Newsom as the film’s earth mother/narrator, Sortilège, Martin Short as the unhinged dentist, Dr Rudy Blatnoyd, Hong Chau as the masseur/prostitute, Jade, Eric Roberts as the real estate mogul and boyfriend of Shasta, Mickey Wolfmann, Serena Scott Thomas as his wife, Sloane, Michael K Williams as Tariq Khalil, Owen Wilson as the musician, Coy Harlingen and Benicio Del Toro as Doc’s lawyer amongst many very talented others.

Paul Thomas Anderson has always loved actors and he is definitely an actor’s director.
Special mention should go to Jonny Greenwood for creating a beautiful soundtrack.

This is a film for cineastes out there, those with an appreciation for all things cinema and I, for one, will be re-watching this at some point.

4/5

BUY THE FILM ON BLU RAY DVD HERE

DOWNLOAD THE FILM ON iTUNES HERE