“In this sci-fi thriller, neuro-scientist William Foster (Keanu Reeves) is on the verge of successfully transferring human consciousness into a computer when his family is tragically killed in a car crash. Desperate to resurrect them, William recruits fellow scientist Ed Whittle (Thomas Middleditch) to help him secretly clone their bodies and create replicas. But he soon faces a “Sophie’s choice” when it turns out that they can only bring three of the four family members back to life.” Official Website
While the trailer led this viewer to believe that the screenplay would have the story begin with the family already “replicated”, the truth is the story begins with Reeves’ character struggling to create a successful clone all together. That was a difficult surprise to make of, does anyone agree?
Cinematically, the movie was good, perhaps leaning too far into the futuristic sci-fi department towards the end. To set the story in Puerto Rica made for pretty outdoor scenes. Oddly contrasting to the chaos happening behind closed doors at the Foster home.
Another bit of turmoil was watching Reeves’ acting chops as he launched himself into what the director highlighted as an immoral venture of bringing his dead back to life, as illustrated by the family friend, Ed Whittle (Thomas Middleditch). First, Foster putting aside his emotional grief to think clearly of what he would need to operate the whole act. Second, his choosing which three of his four family members would he resurrect. Third, transforming his whole family’s death into nonexistence and perpetuating a fabricated life after the accident. Anyone else struggled to watch that first half of the film?
Overall: One-Thumb Up.
From Pen To Screen 