I Origins

What if Shakespeare got it right when he wrote:

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. - Hamlet (1.5.167-8), Hamlet to Horatio

Actually, we know that Shakespeare did get it right. Science adds new discoveries and corrects old theories constantly as it progresses. What's this have to do with "I, Origins"? It's one of the main themes of the movie: What if there's more to the universe than what we can perceive with our senses. Ask any real scientist and you'll find out that the concept is hardly new or controversial. We can't directly perceive radio waves or x-rays yet we make use of them every day. Nevertheless, this movie approaches the topic in a way that makes this question, perhaps, easier to approach for non-scientists.

Similarly, the movie tackles the theme of science versus religion. This theme is played up a lot in contemporary press coverage and "I, Origins" tackles this question intelligently as well. Again, ask a scientist about science and religion and you will likely find out that there isn't really a conflict between the two. Science looks into how the universe works. Religion is concerned with why? "How" and "why" are two sides of the same coin.

The movie also explores the long-existing notion that we are in some way tied to certain individuals for all time. Soul mates, if you will. Don't ask a scientist about that one.

The main actors in "I, Origins" are young and beautiful. Even the lab rat, played by Brit Marling, who starred in director Mike Cahill's prior and debut film "Another Earth," cannot hide her exceptional beauty behind glasses and sweats or a pregnancy suit. So if you enjoy seeing beautiful people asking seemingly profound questions in interesting settings, this is your movie.

Like Cahill's "Another Earth," this movie probes profound questions about the human existence. It's beautifully shot (though I think it needs some more editing), well acted by attractive people, and in the end will probably get you thinking. If that sounds like a mystical experience and a good investment of two hours of your time, then this film's something you should see.

We saw this film as part of the Camera Cinema Club series in San Jose.

Or something like that. It's science and logic versus the inexplainable. The I of the beholder might see things differently of course. But apart of the obvious yet somehow subtle title wink (no pun intended), this movie does deliver (and yes, has more to offer than meets the eye, to get that one out of the way too).

The acting is really good and while you might be able to see where this is going (sorry for the puns), the movie is still able to hold up the tension. It sounds scientific at times, but never goes over your head, if you stay with it. It might be a bit too long, but it never gets boring overall. Whether you agree or get on with the ride, might change your view and your experience with the movie. But it's a "risk" well worth taking and watching

I like it. I'm pretty picky about my movies and this one is cleverly different.

I like the love story. Yes, quite simple but feel good. I like the science aspect. Not nearly as ludicrous as most movie science. I like the India connection. I like the low key religious themes. I like the acting. The cinematography with lots of nice shots.

Sorry but talking the plot would give away too much about this movie. I don't want to spoil it for you.

There are plot lines in this movie which gives you a chance to guess the next step so that keeps it interesting.

I read a bunch of reviews before seeing this, ranging from great to creepy, insular, society (religion) programmed ones. This is a beautiful, thought provoking and heart warming experience that transcends the characters and the human flaws inherent in life. Love indeed comes in many shapes and forms and the first time we see Sofi, she is hidden, only her eyes are the connection point. This was poetic, without seeing her, there was something unexplainable in their connection, something magnetic that brought them together and held them together across time until they saw each other again. The idea that our lives are endless, that we continue to exist beyond our current form was so beautifully portrayed, and I found the movie incredibly touching. A+++

We watch at least 4 or 5 movies every week, and I have to say that this is the best film I've seen in a long time. Brit Marling seems to choose her films very carefully, and I'm coming to suspect that anything she's involved in is going to be different, and very well done.

This film is inspiring - not just because of it's content, but because of the way it's made. Hollywood can NOT make films like this. They can do a lot of things, but they can't seem to write scenes, scenarios, and certainly not dialog like this. This feels like real life, and because of this, it really effects you and draws you in. You really get to know, understand and care about the characters, in a way that just doesn't seem to happen in 'Hollyweird' films.

I don't want to go into any detail about the film here. I just want to say that it is truly amazing, unpredictable, beautiful, powerful and worth your time.

IMPORTANT: Be sure not to turn it off as the credits roll - there's a great little additional scene at the very end, which ads another dimension to the way the story wraps up.

Truly excellence in film making. If there were more writer/directors like this, the world would be a better place. He makes us think and challenges us. Truly inspirational.

My highest recommendation.

Will Middle of NowHere, in some snowy, remote Canadian mountains