OtherLife

*A no spoiler review so this will be pointless for anyone looking for confirmation/discussion after watching.*

Overall: Highly recommended.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, having no idea what it was about when I clicked on the icon in Netflix, so was slightly disappointed to find it given such a mediocre score on IMDb.

I will not give away the plot, suffice it to say that you'll have stay on your toes to follow the hints and clues. On a second watch, they are quite cleverly there!

The acting is first rate! The lead role's character and background are sufficiently fleshed out and approachable, and the majority of the science is quite convincing.

Moreover, like much of the best speculative fiction, the premise raises some philosophical and moral questions: In this case, regarding the application of cutting edge technology.

While not entirely original in plot (but then, what film truly is in the 21st century?) the adaptation and implementation makes for a worthy and memorable ride with some visceral and quite disturbing moments, not to mention a spot of exercise for the old noggin.

Otherlife, from a novel, Solitaire, by Kelley Eskridge, which was sold and optioned and rejected, is resurrected and made in Western Australia. It looks expensive, professional and could have been a product of Industrial Light and Magic. The graphics, special effects that do not make you think 'cgi' are so realistic that you need to physically hold onto your seat.

It will be billed as Science Fiction, but really it is Speculative Fiction. In an all too near future, with a 'what if' with some mega modern corporation, were to be stolen, or is it? You are wondering just what is happening, unless you pay close, really close attention. The main premise is just too likely to become a reality in my lifetime. There are 3 premises in this 95 minute film.

The other reason this is a must see film is the chance to spot future and rising stars, more Australian stars, we can never have too many in Australia. Also technical expertise (some of them will be Kiwis, for sure) and directors that are better than good. It is also spoken in dinky di Strine. No fake American or British accents. This film comes together smooth perfection. Best film so far in the Sydney film festival, 2 days to go.

OtherLife is the story of a piece of software that can transport you into a dream-like world (like Total Recall). The movie discusses the implications of the software through the 2 developers' secret projects with the software.

For a low-budget science fiction movie there is a lot of positive things to point out. I was personally impressed with the visual effects and the courage to tell the story through the language of cinematography (dolly zooms, Dutch angles, color-grading, etc.). When it comes to acting and sound design I found the movie did a decent job and it never felt like an amateur low-budget movie to me.

Unfortunately there were 2 things that annoyed me about the movie: Firstly, the movie takes ideas from existing sci-fi which makes the story unoriginal and predictable (to some extend). It reminded me in particular of 2 Black Mirror episodes; White Christmas and Playtest. If you haven't seen Black Mirror I think you will find this more original, less predictable and consequently enjoy it more. Secondly, the protagonist is a very smart woman working on the software, but she only appears to be smart when working on the software and not in any other part of her life. I don't want to give any examples of this since that would spoil the plot. If you don't expect to share these issues then I believe you will like or maybe even love this movie.

In conclusion i enjoyed watching the movie, and I am surprised by the low rating (my ratings are usually 1-2 points under the average). Despite a few issues I will definitely keep my eyes open for this directors next project.

To me OtherLife is a decent movie which amounts to a 6/10 in my rating distribution.

When I first saw an announcement for this movie I thought it would be just another sci-fi movie with a decent, but not that original story and a smaller budget. Nevertheless I decided to watch it and then I realized how much mistaken I was. This movie brings one of the more original stories I've seen in sci-fi the last couple of years. Combined with an excellent cinematography and good acting this movie lifts itself up. I know many people who don't like to watch movies with smaller budgets, mostly foreign movies, not produced in Hollywood, but then again, this movie proves you don't need to have the big budgets to get full potential.

It's hard to feel anything for the lead, because she comes off very unlikable. And liking, or feeling sympathy for the protagonist is probably kind of important. Although there were many beautiful shots, there were just as many unneeded slow scenes. I tried to like it. But I didn't.