Greetings again from the darkness. Authors and filmmakers have long used forecasting the future as the basis for stories. Some have been lighthearted and humorous ("The Jetsons", BACK TO THE FUTURE) and others are more bleak and dystopian (BLADE RUNNER, THE ROAD). The first feature film from director Fleur Fortune (well known for music videos) has some common DNA with the excellent CHILDREN OF MEN (2006) from director Alfonso Cuaron. Written by Neil Garfath Cox, Dave Thomas, and John Donnelly, this story shows us a future where having a kid is a privilege that must be bestowed by the government, rather than free choice.
Mia (Elizabeth Olsen, MARTHA MAY MARLENE, 2011) and Aaryan (Himesh Patel, YESTERDAY, 2019) have built a life and marriage in a desolate area. Mia has a greenhouse where she grows food, and Aaryan has a Virtual Reality room where he experiments with realistic innovations. Both are aiming to improve life of others. They believe that a missing link in their life is a child, and agree to go through the 'assessment' process. When Virginia (Oscar winner Alicia Vikander, THE DANISH GIRL, 2015) arrives, she explains that, as the assessor, her decision is the final word. Mia and Aaryan express that they will be "good parents". Virginia smiles and relays that everyone says that.
The assessment is a seven-day process and calling it bizarre definitely undersells it. At times, Virginia kicks into childlike mode, testing the parental instincts of Mia and Aaryan. It's during these segments where the story gets a bit ridiculous, despite Virginia's explanation that she needs full access to their emotions and reactions (and intimate methods). During a strange dinner party - set up by Virginia - we get discussions of the "old world" existence and the rumors associated with it.
Analysis of the psychology of folks during such times can be quite enlightening, but despite the intriguing concept, the execution leaves us a bit frustrated with the holes and goofy moments. The third act is especially confounding, although we completely understand Mia's quest for answers. Everything circles back to early on when Mia and Aaryan first ask Virginia, "Are we good enough?". We feel their desperation, but once we learn their catchphrase exchange, "I love you. That's right.", we know this isn't headed to unicorns and rainbows.
Opens on March 21, 2025.
