OXV: The Manual

It has some interesting ideas, but their delivery lacks cohesion and step-by-step development, which in my view loses exactly the viewer it's meant to attract - the thinking, curious type. This is what we read in Wikipedia: "Zak discovers with Theo that sound waves, when combined with gibberish two-syllable words, are able to temporarily raise one's frequency. They create a cell phone device which, based on the environment, is able to determine which words can raise one's frequency." This is not what we see on the screen. We can just about figure out that the combination of sound waves and meaningless words can cause a fluctuation (we're still left to guess that the fluctuation means Zak's frequency is raised), but the creation of the cell phone device is left completely outside the narrative. We are expected to do the guess work every step of the way, but there's simply not enough material to arrive at determinant conclusions. And this is coming from a director who decided to resurrect the idea of scientific determinism, which had been buried at the turn of the 20th century. It totally makes sense that every human being should have a frequency, since every particle is also a wave (in itself not a deterministic concept), but the question what to make of it has not been answered with this effort.

This movie is pretty savvy to say the least. It's also one of those cases where it merits more than one viewing to fully understand and appreciate what is going on. While the front is a romantic comedy with a Science Fiction touch, the Sci-Fi part is actually a lot bigger than you may think at first. Or maybe you thought about it or read about it already, but whatever the case, experiencing this movie, is a blast to say the least.

We have more time-lines and more jumps than some people will be able to handle or even want to handle. There's a point where things can seem to be too much. And after a couple of twists you may find yourself going "come on". But if you are like me and those other people who loved this, you'll actually be craving for more ... which is something the director is hinting at towards the end ... visually but also in his commentary!

If it is true that the position of sub atomic particles can be accurately predicted (and it seems to be), and if it is true that we are made of atoms (and we are) then is stands to reason that we can be predicted as well. And if that is true, then all history - into the future - is waiting for us already. This is one part of the movie. But before that, there is another great science fiction story. And true to the good science fiction that it is, it takes a real observable "fact" of our lives (in this case that some people seem to be luckier in most aspects of life than others, being at the right place at the right time etc) and builds it out into a logical conclusion, a little bit beyond "the ordinary" that life usually gives us. And it is well told. The movie starts off a bit slow, but it is used to settle the premise of the story in one's mind, so bear with it. It soon tuns into an intelligent movie that leaves one well satisfied. If you like science fiction (not the bang whiz special effects sort, but the sort rooted in ideas and good story telling)watch this one.

I saw the world premiere at Fantasia and chatted at length with writer/director/editor/producer Darren Paul Fisher afterwards.

The Universe he created and that the viewer slowly discovers is complex, coherent, intriguing and raise ethical and philosophical questions including the classic determinism versus free will dilemma. The arguments and points of view are quite interesting, with a caveat that in the end, perhaps who cares?

There is a love story in the midst (and a friendship) that builds and begs to reach you emotionally with fine acting and directing. Character development arise seamlessly through three different age period and the pacing and editing are quite remarkably on cue.

I don't want to reveal too much about this cerebral science fiction, but there are many clever surprises that awaits the engaged viewer both in the story twists and the underlying concepts explored. Even love has some deep philosophical implications at one point in the context of the film.

So there you have it: the best film of Fantasia so far this year and one of the best sci-fi ever, from the spectacular script to the screen.

Bravo Mr Fisher and thank you for sharing your thoughts and labour of love in this artistic and philosophical masterpiece.

Although from the synopsis I thought this was not the kind of film I can enjoy, I decided to watch it after reading the (at the moment only) review, by Christian. I must say, he was right. This film is great! It had my complete attention from beginning to end. It is funny, original, mysterious, intelligent, intriguing, sweet, sad, mental, philosophical, emotional, from time to time thrilling. There are names of fictional characters which recall names of famous geniuses, and sort of gags/tributes to them, which to be fully enjoyed require you to at least know, for example, who Isac Newton was and how important for him things like weight/gravity and apples were. And probably if you are a somehow philosophical/mental type you may enjoy some aspects of this film differently. But I am sure that whatever kind of person you are, this film will give you much. And you will not forget it.

If the apparently complicated conversations about philosophical themes sometime confuse you, do not try to follow them. They are there to make you smile, so smile of their complexity, and enjoy the whole of the film, the romance, the comedy, the drama, the mystery. This film is really different. Oh. It was a long time that I was not so deeply and lightly and fully and gently pleased by a movie. The actors are also very good.

Somehow this film reminds me of "Waking Life" and of "I Love Huckabees", for its mixture of mentality and emotionality and comedy.

I do not give it a 10 just because nobody is perfect :D And like Christian wrote: please watch it! Please for you, not for me. Because you will like it. So do not miss this opportunity!