Advantageous

I can't stop thinking how realistic is this view of the future of a trickle down world, hiding behind the cloaks of computerised and anonymous social systems. Well worth watching, a social commentary wrapped up in a scifi blanket. With humanity struggling and failing to define itself.

I can't remember how i stumbled on this movie, but I am really glad I did. This movie was such a joy to watch and was very moving. In fact i purposely registered to IMDb to give it a good rating and a review to support this movie. If you choose to watch it, you won't be sorry! For an independent film on a budget, the quality of the cinematography was great, as was the acting, and everything else, there's so much talent put into this film. Jacqueline Kim did a wonderful job at acting in this film in her portrayal of Gwen and Samantha Kim as her daughter Jules. And Jacqueline Kim and Jennifer Phang wrote such a moving and beautiful movie.

I ran across Advantageous on Netflix after starting and stopping a couple of big budget movies. I will concede that I am a sucker for sci-fi, but this is more than sci-fi. It is a question about medical science and implications for humanity. It is also a question about the priorities of society and what poorly chosen ones can cost us. I can honestly say a film has not caught my attention and made me think this much in years. The strength of the film is obvious because it did not rely on elaborate special effects and action scenes to have an impact.

As one reviewer described it, the deliberate choice of everything - from color, to music, to lighting was so well thought out, it was truly watching moving artwork.

And yes, I used the word film to describe this work rather than movie. The two have a definite distinction.

It starts out as some parallel future where medical advances allow for certain procedures to be done. And marketing. Single moms exist in the future still and so does aging. Real life problems, drama ensues. Of very vanilla variety plus the sprinkles of sci-fi nefarious experimentalism. It just kind of rolled along, unfolding, doing the thing stories do.

It wasn't until the very last scene that tied it all together for me and then it hit me like a ton of bricks that the whole movie was an elaborate setup of this clincher. And it's not what you think. I burst out in tears as the credits began to roll as I wondered at the brilliance I just witnessed. It was so unexpected. Anyway, I'm probably blowing it out of proportion, but I recommend watching this.

Watching this film made for a beautiful and worthwhile evening. I loved the stillness it evoked, as it asked me to consider what is important in my life.

Samantha Kim, (Jules), did a wonderful job of showing all that a young girl can be: kind, humble, and entranced by the delicate joy that life can hold, while also questioning her place and position in a world that only sees what she can give - instead of what she is.

Jacqueline Kim, (Gwen), evokes the challenges facing many women today - when career and family choices have long lasting results - in a performance full of silence. The cinematography that supports the silence means that Kim's message is heard more than if it were shouted.

The cover image is almost a misnomer as it appears to import more value to the science, when this film is most definitely about the human condition. I absolutely recommend taking the time to watch, think and share.