Tuesday, July 22, 2014

I Origins

The Brit Marling School of Cinema is something every young filmmaker should take note of. A few years ago, Marling drove cross-country with her friends, Mike Cahill and Zal Batmanglij. Their destination, Los Angeles. Their dream, to make films. In 2011, after severing time amidst the Hollywood struggle, the trio premiered two separate movies at the Sundance Film Festival. Both films, Cahill’s Another Earth and Batmanglij’s Sound of My Voice, were small-scale, high-concept sci-fi tales that were financed independently and featured Marling in lead roles (she also co-wrote each film). Within a year, Batmanglij was developing his next film with Ridley Scott (which turned into The East), while Marling was stealing scenes from Richard Gere in Arbitrage (and, later, from Robert Redford in The Company You Keep).

The success of Marling, Cahill, and Batmanglij should act as a lesson. A lesson in determination and perseverance. If an artist isn’t creating, then they’re waiting. And if you’re waiting, you’re dying. These people didn’t wait. They told personal stories the way they wanted to tell them, and they did it with a clear, distinct vision. Incidentally, Cahill’s latest film, the science vs. god morality tale, I Origins, is one of their grandest efforts yet.

I Origins is about a young scientist, Ian Gray (Michael Pitt), whose fascination with eyes will, he hopes, definitively disprove the existence of God. If Ian can scientifically prove that every single pair of eyes is different, then he can assert that humans are the design of evolution, not of a higher power. Ian is so firm in his beliefs that he allows no debate in his life. He speaks with a cold, scientific vernacular and often carries himself with a wave of arrogance, shunning those who don’t agree with his findings.
Ian has two women in his life who challenge him in separate ways. Sofi (Astrid Berges-Frisbey) is carefree, passionate and spiritual – the literal opposite of Ian. But after they meet by chance, Ian becomes infatuated with her. Opposites attract, sparks fly, and the argument of science vs. religion rages on between them. Karen (Brit Marling) is Ian’s dutiful lab assistant – dedicated to his research, but never extending their relationship beyond the lab.

Such is how I Origins begins. Truthfully, the film evolves into something far more interesting and profound, but to divulge further details here would be to ruin the movie’s unique intrigue. There are moments of unexpected pain in the film – of torment and violence and inner hell. Which are occasionally matched with transcendental sequences of joy (note: Radiohead typically makes everything better). And through both thick and thin, the film’s three leads carry the picture. There’s an effortlessness to Marling’s acting that is wholly authentic. She’s a born natural, unfazed by the lens, yet completely open to it. In one of the film’s best moments, Karen discovers Ian during a moment of great vulnerability. The way she handles the situation (hint: it’s a common one in movies) is unlike any way I’ve seen it handled before.
I’m unfamiliar with Bergès-Frisbey’s work outside of this film, but here, she gives Sofi an unpredictability that makes the character wildly compelling. Sofi is the showiest performance of the bunch, and Bergès-Frisbey truly nails it. I can’t wait to watch her career develop. Since his breakout turns in Murder by Numbers and The Dreamers, Michael Pitt has inhabited many memorable odd characters in small and important films. Ian is no exception, and his challenging character arc proves to be a perfect fit for Pitt’s skill.

With all this noted, it’s important to understand that Cahill doesn’t make easy films. In fact, the way he develops I Origins could incite detractors to label it as pretentious, dull and/or meandering. I enjoyed my time with it, but the film is far from perfect. For example, there’s a frenzied sequence involving the number 11 that, while amusing, is a little too clean and coincidental for its own good. The scene is brief, painfully random, and, as it turns out, ultimately futile (until, of course… it’s not). And that’s the kicker. Maybe this scene is included because it’s random. Maybe it’s included because it’s futile. How often do we do things in life that prove to be a waste of time? How many hours do we spend overthinking situations, or exhausting our energy on efforts that ultimately aren’t worth it? I’ve certainly done it plenty, and the bitch of it is, I never realize I’m wasting my time until I’ve already wasted far too much. Perhaps that’s Cahill’s point. Or perhaps I’m simply overthinking it. Exactly. B 

19 comments:

  1. While I had a few issues with the script of Another Earth though I did enjoy it, I really did like Sound of My Voice and The East as I think Brit Marling is a very talented actress/writer who definitely has these big ideas yet can create something where you didn't need big budgets or big-time movie stars. If it comes across my path, I'll check it out.

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    1. We're in full agreement about those previous three films, so I do think you'll enjoy this one. I hope it comes your way, because I'd love to know what you think of it.

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  2. I liked what you said about Marling, Cahill, and Batmanghilj. I've enjoyed every one of their films, and I'm looking forward to this one. I've had really high expectations all year, but I'm trying to hold them back a little after recent reviews. Nice job!

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    1. Thanks Brittani! I think critics will always be split on their work. These type of high concept, small scale films are always heavily scrutinized. And the acting style is very minimalist as well, which can be a tad off putting. But I did really dig this one.

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  3. I am really looking forward to this film. Early reviews made me excited because it sounded like a sci-fi movie that wasn't dependent on action or seemed to dumb things down to appeal to a mass audience. The trailer sort of disappointed me because it looked like it gave the whole thing away, but your review certainly seems like that isn't the case. Still excited though, really been awaiting the return of Pitt after what seems like a while of being off the screen.

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    1. (sigh) I'm having trouble thinking of a way to respond to this comment. I suppose I'll let you see it first, then we can talk about it later. I think you'll understand my hesitation once you see the flick.

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  4. I really love Brit Marling's team, generally. This film was a surprising miss for me. There were some interesting moments, which you pointed out. But I think the execution sorely flailed.

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    1. All fair points. I did read your review, and while I always respect your opinion, this one just simply worked for me. I seem to like it better than most, though, which is always interesting. Typically the other way around.

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  5. That story about Marling, Cahill, and Batmanglij is amazing and very inspiring! This film sounds great, too, and I'm very intrigued about the interaction between the characters, and this Sofi character. Thanks for the recommendation, this is going high up my watch list!

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    1. I'd be very curious to hear what you think. Hope you have a chance to see it soon!

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  6. Well, it's definitely on my watchlist after your review. It looks pretty interesting - and I really like The Brit Marling School of Cinema. It's truly so refreshing to see young people full of talent and determination creating personal and remarkable work.

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    1. I'd be very curious to hear what you think of this one. I'm actually kind of surprised that it has been shit on by so many reviewers, but oh well, the way it goes. I think you'd dig it.

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    2. Really can't wait to watch it, man.

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  7. Great post Alex, I'm pretty wary on I Origins just because the subject matter doesn't grab me and I feel that Cahill brings the least to the table as a director. Maybe I'm off the mark and by being obtuse and less than digestible, Cahill is the most intriguing of the three. That's not true because Brit Marling is in my opinion, one of the most exciting presences in film today. Few actor/writers handle both with such command and insight into the nuances of those crafts. The Sound of My Voice and The East both grabbed me like few films do and although my work is so very unlike theirs, I follow their unflinching example, one of drive and growth. Your thoughts on the three were really eloquent, I will not attempt to spell Zal's name as I am on my cell atm. Will give this a watch and will try to walk in Miss Markings ever growing shadow.

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    1. Thanks man, I appreciate the kind words. I agree that Marling is a very exciting presence in cinema right now. I just love how she goes for it, and always delivers stellar performances. Given that you like Sound of My Voice and The East, I must say that I'm very curious to hear your thoughts on I Origins. But yeah, admittedly, it's not for everyone.

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  8. Wonderful review! I'm a fan of the creative trio's work, but I forgot this was even coming out. It's great to hear Pitt and Berges-Frisbey excel here, as he doesn't get many lead roles and she hasn't done much since Pirates of the Caribbean 4.

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    1. Thanks! I haven't seen Pirates 4, so this is honestly the first thing I can remember seeing Berges-Frisbey in. But man, I loved her. Thought she did delivered a stellar performance.

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  9. To me, the recurrence of the number eleven that eventually leads him to Sofi is a metaphor for the fact that we can affect the world through our intentions and that we are guided in doing so.

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    1. Yeah that definitely makes sense. But I suppose I was a little swayed by that sequence because it didn't exactly lead him to Sofi, you know? He ran into her by pure coincidence on the subway. But, granted, the 11 sequence did allow him to see what she looks like. So yeah, it's all connected. I definitely dug the flick though.

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