Farrell puts in a strong, slow burn of a performance, starting off very reserved, cold, and resentful than slowly and minutely unfurlling. It's impressive and captivating if not particularly showy. Turner-Smith also plays it very grounded, has excellent chemistry with Farrell, and along with the other major themes the two let the sub-story of this loving but troubled marriage play out with loving and heartbreaking subtlety. Tjandrawidjaja is impressive and gives a surprisingly dynamic and dimensional performance for her age but the real stand out is Min, much of his screen time is in narrative flashbacks, paints a riveting portrait of a sentient AI who is deeply ambitious with his emotions, incredibly caring, but constrained by programing. All taken together its all relatively sedate, slowly and meticulously builds to a beautiful but sorrowful catharsis.
Writer/director Kogonada's second feature isn't as straightforward as the wonderful Columbus but for those with the patience to give the film it's due time and space it offers rich rewards. Visually beautiful(with some inspired construction both in regards to editing and set design), masterfully scored, with thick implication both in regard to character and theme, the film does a lot with making very little explicit. And aside from the advanced technologies within, the narrative is very grounded, very relatable, and offers some moving insight. Ultimately the film is a celebration of life and a warning about how precious it can be. And although there is not a ton of humor there is still some levity and absurdity to temper the more sobering ideas. The opening scene particularly, a protracted dance sequence, will easily be one of the best of the year.
A small, fragile film with a lot to say and learn from if given a chance.
Currently in theaters and streaming on Showtime, coming soon to VOD.
See It.
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