The Scientist

I have just watched possibly the dullest film ever made. It was one of those you persevere with thinking "It will get better any minute...wont it?" but it just doesn't. Nothing happens! I felt nothing for the lead character and apart from the lady next door, the rest of the cast were wooden. I actually stopped the movie half-way thru to re-read what it was about. It makes no sense. And a previous reviewer was absolutely right about the sound. I had to watch with the remote in my hand. You either cannot hear the whispering or the windows are rattling with the music. Being John Malkovic has been my all-time worst movie...until today.

I'm surprised that so many people hated this movie, and yet I'm also not surprised. It's obvious that the director was going for an art house vibe, but, judging by the reviews here, I think that people were expecting Michael Bay or Roland Emmerich, instead of Stanley Kubrick. The people who'd ordinarily like art house movies were turned off by the pro-life message at the end. The name of the movie is called The Scientist, yet there's no actual science involved here -- just metaphysics and quantum mysticism. At one point, the titular scientist even delivers an anti-science rant, where he calls Einstein a fraud. If the rationalists weren't alienated by all the metaphysical mumbo jumbo beforehand, they're definitely ready to get up and leave now.

Luckily, it takes more than artistic pretensions, slow pacing, metaphysical mumbo jumbo, or a preachy pro-life message to drive me away from a movie. However, what I find a bit off-putting was the way the director ripped off 2001: A Space Odyssey, though I suppose you could call it an homage, if you were feeling kind. Though it lacks some of the more surreal or symbolic elements of 2001, I got this continual feeling that the director was doing his best to channel Kubrick into every single scene. There were also obvious influences from Solaris. Now, I'm as big a fan of 2001 and Solaris as the next pretentious film snob, but, really, there comes a time when you need to stop studying those movies and move on with your life, so that you can develop your own style, independent from them. Unfortunately, it seems as though this director hasn't quite reached that point yet, though I'll say that he's got good taste in cinema.

The pro-life message and mystical mumbo jumbo are a bit annoying, but I think they're forgivable. I find much to admire in Romanticism, but when it becomes this reactionary, irrational, and sentimental, I quickly lose interest. If you're into that sort of thing, though, I'm sure this movie will resonate with you. However, for those rationalists out there, I'd probably suggest you skip this. It's a gigantic middle finger to you and your beliefs. Of course, as in all wish fulfillment scenarios, the metaphysical beliefs of the titular scientist are proved correct, and once the imperialist asshole imposes his beliefs on his neighbors, their lives are magically transformed into a fairy tale romance, bringing them back from the brink of divorce. Come on. That's just over-the-top. Nonetheless, it's artsy enough to score some points with me, making up for the didacticism and errant philosophy.

This movie must have been called kinder garden scientist , it is really so boring no target no acting no plot just guys and woman moving around and thinking about future past and whatever i really don't mind ,i m really "pissed" with people that writing the idmb reviews this for sure are guys payed by the director or whoever is related with this movie . They always write good things and you go to see a movie and touch down the movie finally sucks and you lost 2 hours from your life. The movie sucks as all the stuff of this movie sucks . Stay Away and if you really don't see the truth that this movie is really disgusting then go to a shrink to have a look on you, only mental problem people will see good things about this movie,also director go drawn your self, the DVD cover or poster is good "as always the smart trick we make a POSTER and we sell the crappy movie" the content is crap and sucks .Also for the smart guys that wrote about acting ... what acting? acting for what? you mean acting is freezing like idiot and put the digit into your mouth and thinking for 2 hours?? if this is acting sorry but i cant but to lough about it. . sub below 1/10

Lovely weird. That's my description. Rarely have I seen a movie, that has no stunning grand visuals, yet relies so little on dialog. It is refreshing that there are still directors out there, who can tell a story in such an opaque way, that the audience is left with no choice but to think about it. That's very nice.

It's not 100% clear cut what's going on here. It would seem, that our main character is looking for a way to reconnect with his dead wife and daughter. Perhaps trying to bring their consciousness back or extend his own? I don't know, what the main character is planning exactly. It's never told, and this is part of then charm of the movie. This is where you have to start interpreting.

A previous reviewer spoke of an intend to create a machine to elevate consciousness to a higher level through manipulation of psychic energy. Well, that would be one interpretation. But I must remark, that at no point does the word psychic appear in this movie.

So, if a delicate subject is so delicately told, why only 5 stars out of 10? Well, the ending is predicable and must be considered the low point of the movie in quality of directing as well as acting. Sorry, but that should be changed, if possible. There are shining points through out, but not enough. That, and the storyline next door. It is totally ignored in the end. Maybe we are shown too much, since I actually started to care for her. But in the end, it was just segway into showing his final transformation.

In the end, Bill Sage's acting skills were what I applauded, wholeheartedly.

So, thank you for making this movie. Now take the subject to the next level, and give us something more breathtaking.

I could have easily watched this all the way through had it not been for the movies sound. I cannot fathom what on earth the sound people think their doing. During quiet voice sections I was constantly having to rewind and turn the volume up to hear what the actors were saying and then turn it down during the loud music sections. Just after half way through I switched it off which was a shame because its a decent film but you need to get in to the vibe rather than automate the film with the remote control. Perhaps it was just the copy I watched?

I may pick it up again when Im in the mood and knowing what the sound is like I will be better prepared because I would have liked this movie for its interesting story.