Minimal Knowledge is an ambitious start for these two feature filmmakers. Just from viewing it once, it is clear that the film has been meticulously crafted and cared for since its early stages. This, alone, makes the film standout as an alternative to so many Hollywood films that seem to be careless tossed together with little regard to plot, characters or style.
The film is unique because suggests the idea of reincarnation, but ultimately allows the audience to make up its own mind. It is clear which of the characters' view point the film `agrees' with, but we, as audience members, are given the freedom to take the `facts' presented to us in the film and draw our own conclusion. Thus we approach this film differently from others, because we are constantly trying to assess our beliefs towards the kind of reincarnation suggested (that of Minimal Knowledge), while we watch and also try to unravel the murder mystery. We are engaged in both of Matty's conflicts - but at the end of the film, we still get to take one home with us.
The story line is original and rich, and the characters are well thought-out. For a digital video production, the cinematography was complex and vivid. While there were some elements that could have been altered or omitted to give the film a bit more of a mature look, it is an incredible first attempt at a feature length film. It visually portrays New Jersey as only a homegrown feature can!
