The Infinite Man

With a cast of 3 and barely more than one location, first-time feature filmmaker (and writer), Hugh Sullivan, has woven together a topsy-turvy time travel film that falls somewhere between 'Primer' and 'Groundhog Day'. The initial impression is of pure comedy with time travel as the incidental extreme that the main character (played by a fantastic Josh McConville) is willing to go to in order to keep control over his love life. The result is a complex, infinite loop that wowed me with every twist and turn. Though never stepping over the line into 'Thriller' or serious 'Science-Fiction', the logic of the storyline is mathematically maddening and the film does consider some truly heavy existential ideas like the result of jealousy on relationships and how fear of change and the desire to control others is almost always counterproductive. Ultimately, the film is just a ton of fun and, though it perfectly fits within the supposed film-festival mold, even the most novice of movie-goers would get a huge kick out of this one.

The production was of a very high level, excellent sound and visuals- nice cinematography. Clearly a lot of thought went into the script, but in its quest to be intellectual, sacrificed some of the humanity of the characters. A lot of the quirks of the characters, the way the male lead ran, the vintage clothes, the references to Greek mythology and tantra all seemed very forced.

Important philosophical questions about identity, why we love someone at different times in our lives and why/when we should give up on someone were partially raised but never really explored. By the end of it, I felt like a lot had happened, but I didn't care about the characters at all - I hardly got to know them. All in all, it felt like it was all style and little substance.

Time travel element interesting, but the plot is just not sustainable, and ultimately the film becomes quite boring about 30 minutes into it. I guess this hit the spot for some viewers, but fell very flat for me.

An ambitious little Australian film that seemingly came to existence from much persistence from its creator Hugh Sullivan and star Josh McConville, The Infinite Man is a film the overcomes it's obvious budget limitations to become an interesting/unique love story that while always watchable is sadly forgettable and in the end acts as a product that you can see will be inspiration for a Hollywood remake, such is the potential here.

A hybrid of both the romantic comedy genre and the DIY time travel projects like Primer etc. The Infinite Man never really bothers to explain its science as it's more concerned with getting you engaged in the harsh realities of McConville's Dean's deep seeded and undying love for his girlfriend and sometimes ex-girlfriend Lana as played by Marshall. Dean is an OCD suffering socially inept man who struggles to maintain his sanity when the going gets tough while Lana is a woman who knows what she wants yet is unsure if she can get that from Dean. It's an interestingly played out romantic tale between the two as Dean try's to accustom himself to a life without Lana and then as the time traveling kicks in try's to realise what Lana needs from him, whatever being of himself is currently courting her. It's an intriguing prospect and a not always believable one, the more you think the more the story falls apart but these are usual staples of the time travel genre that aren't enough to completely derail what elements the film does right.

The film features a witty and often inventive script and while McConville and Marshall perform amiable the star of this show is Australian acting staple Alex Dimitriades as Lana's ex Terry. Terry is a self-obsessed disgraced Olympian that carries his old javelin in the boot of his car (the javelin is the star of one of the films funniest scenes) and his appearance on screen is always a welcome addition to a film that benefits from his industry experience. The appearance of Dimitriades is what highlights the Infinite Man's largest weaknesses, McConville and Marshall while good just don't possess enough natural charm to really wow us into caring, if we to feel in love with these humans then The Infinite Man could of literally become anything including a sci-fi comedy classic.

There is a lot of fine meditation on life, love and friendship on display in The Infinite Man and there can be little doubting of the care taken to get this story made for the big screen and full credit for all involved for this. The film can become a frustrating experience as you feel many a time that it's about to break the shackles and become something truly memorable but as the initially wonderful then sadly generically ended finale fades from view, you realise that greatness was close yet so very far away. Bring on the hopefully impending and improved remake I say.

2 and a half javelins out of 5

Now this here is one a trip of a movie. Made locally in my home state of South Australia, it does a fantastic job of managing a meager budget, using basically one or two sets, and only three actors. And that is all that is needed. I had read about this making the round at festivals and getting almost universal praise, and I can certainly see why. This is definitely not your average time travel movie, nor is it very sappy or sentimental at all, despite the romantic reasons driving the film.

This romantic basis becomes not so romantic as the main character, a fantastic Josh McConville (Dean), plays an obsessive control freak, intent on recreating a perfect holiday from a year previous for his partner Lana. Lana scoffs at the idea and comments on Dean's obsessive and controlling nature, but seeing his invention, she becomes intrigued. From here, the story travels into unexplored territory regarding time-travel flicks, as when the characters begin to time-travel, they start to see.. versions of themselves, from the past.. or the future. The original couple witness themselves repeating the same dialogue from the start of the film, but here, they are watching nervously from a window in the abandoned hotel that serves as the film's main set. Once more and more versions of Dean start to appear, it reeeally starts to become a trip, and somewhat of a puzzle.

Dean starts becomes jealous of… himself, albeit himself from the future, as each different Dean has his own traits, and each time he time-travels he becomes more confident, leading to more jealousy from the original Dean. The way McConville plays these parts is particularly noteworthy, as he essentially plays three or four characters.. as the same person. The jealously he shows towards other versions of himself is quite hilarious. In fact, there were many laughs along these lines.

Dean is nerdy – he built this machine – and he is also prone to crying; fodder for more laughter. A sudden twist occurs with the sudden appearance of Dean's partner's ex-lover, who wants his girl back. This self-obsessed, brilliantly conceived character is yet more food for laughs. He is an Aussie Greek who is rather amusingly obsessed with his Olympic level javelin skills (a javelin he carries with him where ever he goes, it would seem), and of his proud Greek heritage. He considers himself a Greek god… despite the fact that he isn't actually Greek. Despite dressing, acting, and looking Greek. What makes his character really work is that he is essentially the polar opposite to Dean, leaving Lana unsure of the man she wants to be with.

With unpredictable scenes following unpredictable scenes, this is really a movie that forces you to think, while laughing, and feeling for Dean's character. It also shows the consequences of trying to control everything, even to the point of time travel. It also subtly comments on two very different men, and how they interact with each other, as well as the love of both their lives. Lana is faced with a choice, but how can she know which Dean is the one she first arrived with at the abandoned hotel? And does she want her old spark's bravado, or Dean's brains? I really enjoyed this one, apart from the ending, which felt abrupt and had me thinking "nooo! this can't be it!". I thought they could have played the funny and intriguing concept a little further, but I can definitely see why this got the attention it did. It is a fascinating puzzle of a movie, one which I want to see again as soon as I can so I can piece it all together. It is certainly one of those movies that thoroughly deserves multiple viewings, despite its low-budget, a single set, and three actors. It is this economic filmmaking that makes the film a real treat, as the limited budget does not limit the movie at all, in fact, a limited budget almost always breeds creativity in my opinion. That is certainly the case here, as Hugh Sullivan has created a gem of a movie, intensely unique and praised around the world. If only it got more recognition in the state in was filmed in.

4/5 – Filled with laughs and intrigue, but one can't help that the ending was lack-lustre and very abrupt. Apart from this minor gripe, this is a fantastic film. Highly recommended.