Future '38

I have watched this movie at least four times, and every time I catch something I didn't see before. There's always a nice surprise waiting.

Time travel (or time displacement, such as "Demolition Man") is one of my favorite genres, whether it's drama or comedy. But, despite watching every time travel flick I come across, I can think of nothing to compare this with. It isn't "Back to the Future," but it doesn't try to be. Great sight gags, sly references, slapstick, puns ... this movie isn't afraid to try anything. And it succeeds when maybe it probably shouldn't. Yes, there's some "BTTF" here, but there's also some "Airplane!" and hints of Mel Brooks.

I went into my first viewing not knowing anything about it, and for two seconds I thought it was, truly, a resurfaced lost movie. Alas, Neil de Grasse Tyson giving an introduction with a tub of popcorn the size of washing machine pretty much dispelled any idea that something old had been unearthed. But 10 minutes in, I didn't care one bit. The quick word punches, vibrant background gags, and a sincere commitment to the premise made this enormously enthralling. And - dare I say it? - Betty Gilpin struck me as someone who is going to make a strong and serious dramatic turn one day.

There's really no way this movie should have worked, and it amazes me that it did. It's B-movie escapism with a complete lack of self-importance while maintaining respect for the audience. In other words, "let's just have some fun." If there's a message here, it got lost on me. And I don't have a problem with that.

I won't bury the lede: this is brilliant. I had mixed expectations, not least off all on account of the small-fries nature of the production that could go either way. Rather immediately, however, 'Future '38' demonstrates just how delightfully smart and clever it is. I deeply admire the central conceit, that the film we're watching is a long-lost title from 1938. Filmmaker Jamie Greenberg worked overtime to weave in every thread that he could to emphasize and build on that notion. The dazzlingly direct storytelling and plot progression, spry runtime, and brisk pace pointedly reflect the common film-making approach of old movies from the 1930s. The plot, characters, scene writing, and especially the dialogue all very mindfully echo the language, values, customs, and cinematic standards of 80 years past. Meanwhile, props, effects, set design and decoration, and no few jokes are wonderfully intelligent as they represent a modern person's reimagination of how a 30s screenwriter might conceive the subsequent years to have unfolded. Equally witty are those instances of modern slang, innuendo, or inventions that are interpreted, through the same lens, to mean something very different. I unremittingly love 'Future '38.'

As if all this weren't enough - and it absolutely is - the other elements of the picture are just as strong. A marginally grainy image, and occasional clips in the "reel," pair with sound design that is, deliberately, ever so slightly tinny, mirroring the technological capabilities of the era and degradation of prints. The very accents and mannerisms that the cast adopt feel like they were pulled directly from movies of the 1930s. The costume design and hair and makeup work are impeccable, gorgeous, and fanciful, and like everything else in the in-universe conception of 2018 pop with lush, vivid color that's joyously fetching. The approach taken in the story to time travel is as simple and forthright as the plot progression generally, yet at that is more concise and less convoluted than what many other sci-fi flicks have tried to serve up. And the cast! One must note genre luminaries Sean Young and Ethan Phillips who fill small parts, but moreover, the principals are a blast. Among all others, Nick Westrate and Betty Gilpin are a hoot as they lean, lean, lean into the playful tomfoolery of the feature, and it's so fun to watch them work.

Gosh golly jeepers, what more can one even say, least of all without betraying plot points? 'Future '38' is exceptional. It's purposefully ham-handed, contrived, and distinctly staged in all the exact same ways that some old movies are, only with the faintest modern sensibility to greet viewers with a wink. This is a sci-fi comedy like no other that readily comes to mind - it rather seems to me as though it bridges a generation gap, wherein audiences who favor old movies may be able to enjoy it just as much as those who prefer modern titles. True, if one can't get on board with the consciously kitschy cleverness, then I can see how it won't appeal to all comers. Yet I watch this and see a far too little-known 21st century film that comes off as a loving, respectful homage to another era, while also staking its own ground in the present. I can only thank Greenfield, and his cast and crew, for a fabulously entertaining, satisfying, and rewarding viewing experience. 'Future '38' is far more than I ever could have anticipated, and I immediately want to watch it again!

"Isn't this a nice party?" "There is something wrong with my herring!" "ISN'T THIS A NICE PARTY?!?"

Okay, lines like that make me laugh. And there were a lot of lines like that.

I was really sceptical about watching this, as these retro movies tend to cheap and boring. But "Future 38" was a delight to watch, good performances and some laugh out loud moments. Definitely recommended. Fun entertainment, I rate it 8/10

Comedy is hard but the writers of Future '38 were spot on, almost. The repartee was lighting fast but the timing was still perfect and allowed the audience to keep up. There were only a few places where the laughs tapered off, but it always picked up again. The humor was respectful of today's P.C. sensibilities, passing up on some low-hanging jokes that might have crossed the line for some. With the exception of its blatant anti-Germanic bigotry and a few other stereotypes/ethnic jokes (Irish, African American, Jewish), the film is really progressive. ("They're jolly, what of it?... City hall's been hitching jollies for forty years.")

Many in the audience will miss some of the slang and early twentieth century references, but there's enough here to keep everyone laughing. Especially funny was the humorous treatment of time-travel paradoxes and the "parlor tricks" performed by Essex with Elke and others.

The acting was very well done for a comedy of this sort, and the plot was easy to follow. The cinematography was technically adequate and didn't overshadow the players/dialogue, although it would have been nice to put a little more effort into getting the color/tone to match those over-saturated, 80-year-old films. The cue marks were a wonderful touch!

Overall, well worth watching, especially for old movie buffs and scifi fans.

Triggers: Ethnic humor -- anti-Germanic bigotry, Irish, African American, Jewish ethnic jokes/stereotypes; Violence by the protagonists -- fists, gun brandishing (and the obligatory vase smash to the head).