Greetings again from the darkness. The evening I saw this one, I tweeted "Mike Cahill is one of today's most intriguing filmmakers". After a few days to think about it, that belief remains so. A double feature of this and his previous film "Another Earth" could keep the conversation flowing for days and weeks.
Evolution vs Spirituality is the main theme here. Miohael Pitt plays molecular biologist Ian Gray, who is working diligently to prove that the evolution of the eye is the scientific proof debunking creationism and spirituality. Ian's petri dish view of life is challenged when he meets free-spirited Sofi (Astrid Berges-Frisbey). This takes opposites attract to a whole new level ... in fact, opposites actually detract ... from the story and tone. While Sofi causes cracks in Ian's convictions, their ultimate split is actually a turning point for the film. The second half is extremely entertaining and thought-provoking.
Leaping ahead a few years, we find Ian married to his previous lab assistant Karen (Brit Marling). These two have an intriguing bond, and the birth of their first child sends the two scientists back into research mode ... including some globe trotting. Retina scanning technology plays a huge role here, and leads Ian to India where he searches for proof of this new theory.
This existential trip has an inordinate number of coincidences, lucky breaks, and philosophical discussions ... not to mention a rainbow range of eye glass styles. If you enjoy films that generate post-viewing discussions, Mr. Cahil is proving himself as the go-to filmmaker. Whether you fall on the side of science or spirituality, or somewhere in-between, this film seeks to prove the eyes have it.
Evolution vs Spirituality is the main theme here. Miohael Pitt plays molecular biologist Ian Gray, who is working diligently to prove that the evolution of the eye is the scientific proof debunking creationism and spirituality. Ian's petri dish view of life is challenged when he meets free-spirited Sofi (Astrid Berges-Frisbey). This takes opposites attract to a whole new level ... in fact, opposites actually detract ... from the story and tone. While Sofi causes cracks in Ian's convictions, their ultimate split is actually a turning point for the film. The second half is extremely entertaining and thought-provoking.
Leaping ahead a few years, we find Ian married to his previous lab assistant Karen (Brit Marling). These two have an intriguing bond, and the birth of their first child sends the two scientists back into research mode ... including some globe trotting. Retina scanning technology plays a huge role here, and leads Ian to India where he searches for proof of this new theory.
This existential trip has an inordinate number of coincidences, lucky breaks, and philosophical discussions ... not to mention a rainbow range of eye glass styles. If you enjoy films that generate post-viewing discussions, Mr. Cahil is proving himself as the go-to filmmaker. Whether you fall on the side of science or spirituality, or somewhere in-between, this film seeks to prove the eyes have it.