The Assessment

I saw this movie in the Hamburg Film Festival and I enjoyed it a lot! I left the cinema thinking about the many issues raised in the film and, in my opinion, this is a good sign that the movie has a story to say. I initially chose to watch the movie because Elizabeth Olsen is the lead actress. And, as I expected, she did not disappoint me. Her performance is superb! I admire how expressive she is and how well she portrays her character and conveys her emotions. An applause also to Alicia Vikander who also gives a great performance! I highly recommend the film to watch with friends and then have heated discussions about it!

The ideas explored in 'The Assessment' are undeniably intriguing, but their execution feels somewhat underdeveloped. The film introduces thought-provoking themes, yet it struggles to fully flesh them out, leaving the viewer yearning for more. Given its ambitious scope, a series format would have been a more suitable choice, allowing the narrative and its underlying concepts the space to evolve and breathe.

Watching the movie, I couldn't help but notice a trend in recent sci-fi productions-akin to what we see in 'Severance.' This contemporary style, while visually striking, often leans toward a cold, detached atmosphere, prioritizing sterile aesthetics over emotional resonance. While this approach has its merits in creating a sense of unease or dystopian detachment, it sometimes lacks the vibrancy and imperfections that make life feel truly authentic. There's a certain richness-the flawed beauty of human emotion, the unpredictability of real interactions-that seems to be fading from modern sci-fi. And perhaps that's the missing piece in 'The Assessment'-an opportunity to infuse a more organic, lived-in feeling that embraces both the intellectual and the emotional.

Where are all of the reviews for this movie?! And why is it criminally underrated? Aren't we all tired of superhero popcorn flicks and ready for more movies with actual depth like this?

Now I know why Elizabeth Olsen has been playing in superhero crap roles lately. It's so that she could do this. "One for them, one for me" as they say. This is by far her best work. You can tell she worked so hard on this, physically, emotionally, she sold it. Apart from being the fittest and yet most feminine she's ever looked, she had this grace as her character that was so believable and not phoned in, especially her comedic moments like the first dining scene. She made it feel so real. Everyone did a fantastic job in this, especially Minnie Driver, who was a pleasant surprise with a great monologue, but Elizabeth outshined them all.

I'm not sure if I could watch this again with how intense it was, and knowing the ending. But this is one movie that should be seen by all. It's a smart, well written, emotionally nuanced and psychological thriller that should make you think. Yes it's Hollywood so they found a way to fit climate change in there, but it's also sci fi that feels meaningful, and actually possible rather than preachy. It actually left me wanting even more back story, though there was plenty.

Thank you to the writers, director and actors. Keep them coming.

The 3 leads are pretty good in their roles but story just didn't gel together for me. Very little is known of the dystopia, the cause, the effect the hope. The entire focus is really on the assessment of the couple's readiness for raising a child. A few sprinkles of insight into their work life doesn't do much to round out their characters. Virginia the assessor of the couple is quite erratic and throws every cliche of bad childish behavior to test the couple. This was mildly interesting but it grew tiresome.

I didn't expect the story to continue where I had thought it should have ended. Just delivered more dialogue that no longer mattered to me as I had already mentally checked out. I think the premise and the awkward start of the movie could have been a rating of 7. By 1/2 way through the movie lost its mojo and slid down to a 5.

Watch it if you like the lead actors but the story might grind on you.

Greetings again from the darkness. Authors and filmmakers have long used forecasting the future as the basis for stories. Some have been lighthearted and humorous ("The Jetsons", BACK TO THE FUTURE) and others are more bleak and dystopian (BLADE RUNNER, THE ROAD). The first feature film from director Fleur Fortune (well known for music videos) has some common DNA with the excellent CHILDREN OF MEN (2006) from director Alfonso Cuaron. Written by Neil Garfath Cox, Dave Thomas, and John Donnelly, this story shows us a future where having a kid is a privilege that must be bestowed by the government, rather than free choice.

Mia (Elizabeth Olsen, MARTHA MAY MARLENE, 2011) and Aaryan (Himesh Patel, YESTERDAY, 2019) have built a life and marriage in a desolate area. Mia has a greenhouse where she grows food, and Aaryan has a Virtual Reality room where he experiments with realistic innovations. Both are aiming to improve life of others. They believe that a missing link in their life is a child, and agree to go through the 'assessment' process. When Virginia (Oscar winner Alicia Vikander, THE DANISH GIRL, 2015) arrives, she explains that, as the assessor, her decision is the final word. Mia and Aaryan express that they will be "good parents". Virginia smiles and relays that everyone says that.

The assessment is a seven-day process and calling it bizarre definitely undersells it. At times, Virginia kicks into childlike mode, testing the parental instincts of Mia and Aaryan. It's during these segments where the story gets a bit ridiculous, despite Virginia's explanation that she needs full access to their emotions and reactions (and intimate methods). During a strange dinner party - set up by Virginia - we get discussions of the "old world" existence and the rumors associated with it.

Analysis of the psychology of folks during such times can be quite enlightening, but despite the intriguing concept, the execution leaves us a bit frustrated with the holes and goofy moments. The third act is especially confounding, although we completely understand Mia's quest for answers. Everything circles back to early on when Mia and Aaryan first ask Virginia, "Are we good enough?". We feel their desperation, but once we learn their catchphrase exchange, "I love you. That's right.", we know this isn't headed to unicorns and rainbows.

Opens on March 21, 2025.