There’s a breed of movie that exists that does what it can to be as deep as it can be while exploring an unnaturally, uncharacteristically complex sci-fi subject. The film Reminiscence was released during the pandemic and as I recall, was panned. I gave it a shot.
So, of these sci-fi films that do what they can to be as complicated as they can be fall films like Scarlett Johanssen’s Lucy, or Will Smith’s iRobot, or Johnny Depp’s Transcendence, and to an extent, Christian Bale’s Equilibrium. I’m talking about big-budget hollywood productions that are packed with action but are based on relatively deep sci-fi concepts.
I think that the issue that audiences have with these types of films is that there’s no one audience- there’s two. There’s the group of folks who just want to shut off their brains and watch a fantasy that lets its heroes do some crazy shit with crazy tech and crazy action. That’s fine. Then there’s the folks who want to actually discover and discuss and explore the ideas introduced by the movie, and understand its ramifications on the film’s world and people.
I think that Reminiscence excels in a way that some of the others don’t. No, it’s not good at satisfying its two audiences- not really. Not entirely. But it’s not a bad movie. It just doesn’t necessarily adhere to any expectations you may have.
The film Reminiscence digs into the idea that if memories can be explored in-depth and at will using technology in a world where water levels have risen, what types of implications that confluence of future circumstances has on people.
The film ends up not really using the rising waters and flooded world as a metaphor, just as an environment for the characters to be in. The technology that allows one to look through their memories isn’t discussed as a moral or ethical subject, but as a tool to enable the story. So if you’re looking for relative depth in this film, you’ll not find that much. Maybe I’ve missed it.
If you’re looking for action and excitement, you’ll be disappointed to know that there’s only one action sequence in the movie. It’s fine. We get Jackman’s classic roar. It’s cool. But there’s only one.
So. Who’s actually excited and happy with the movie? Who was satisfied with what they saw? Pretty much no one, I think. No one who had the expectations set for them before the movie, really.
There’s also an element of noir in this film, and people have compared Reminiscence to The Maltese Falcon. That’s a valid comparison. I was thinking of Chinatown. There’s a lot of elements that are shared between the two films: a baron of a natural resource who has affairs with young women, their power and influence that puts them above the others, the oppressive nature of nature’s effects, the mystery, the helpless hero, the relatively depressing ending. So as a noir, there’s some merit to this film.
Reminiscence , in my perspective, was a fantastic noir. It was a compelling mystery with clues that the hero had to work for, and a resolution that was only uncovered through (relative) detective work and investigation. The sci-fi machines help him parse through the clues to uncover the resolution.
I understand why quote unquote general audiences had a hard time with the film. It didn’t particularly address or explore the technology or the futuristic world that the film takes place in. It wasn’t action-packed. The ending was sad and confusing. I get it. But if you want to watch the movie, then the expectations are going to be a hindrance. It’s probably going to be a more enjoyable film if you don’t have any expectations, and just go with the movie.
It’s sexy. It’s interesting. It’s engaging. It’s sad. It’s fun. It’s not deep. It’s not complicated. I think that this movie is firmly in the
YMMV
Category.
You can watch Reminiscence on Hulu.
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