The Scientist (2010)

Memorable, crazy movie

Great Film overall

Excellent but underrated film

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

From the first line in the film it's clear that its trying to give its audience a DEEP metaphysical cerebral experience. The film starts with the actors looking serious, and spooning out deep dialogue about life the world and everything. The kind of stuff stoned first year philosophy students belch out on a Saturday night. As the film progresses we see the actors looking even more serious. The climax of the film is every actor looking serious even the birds seem to have a deep introspective stare. Lets not forget the little whirring machine that appears to be at the heart of it all. I don't know what it does, its never explained, but its DEEP and its serious so that should enough also it spins and whirrs, and that is about as scientific as the film gets.If you're looking for a film where actors stare a lot and look serious, no plot and incomprehensible dialogue, then you've found the perfect film. Personally for me watching paint dry seems like a roller coaster ride compared to watching this. Oh by the way its go nothing to do with science, the guy is a scientist but might as well be a Russian acrobat.

I saw the trailer for this movie on Apple Trailers a little over a year ago. I thought the minute compilation of this movie looked great, thrilling. The concept of a man dealing with a loss of his family intrigued me, since movies like The Weatherman and Reign Over Me were favorites of mine. Today, I saw it finally. However, there's something that the film doesn't feel to accomplish. Maybe its the lack of a big name lead, or no clear message that the film tries to deliver. The emotional settings shots are there, but they don't bring any substantial emotions from the viewer, so it ultimately fails as a character study or as a mood piece. The film is too average, and the hard to achieve rank of an emotional journey sans strong plot, as directors like Sofia Coppola have expertly done before, is unattainable without anything spectacular in the film. It's not the slowest movie I've seen, and it's not the worst. The film is pretty well produced, as it doesn't scream low budget at any particular point. The problems were that I couldn't connect with the emotions of the lead, the side story was well acted but also not very investing, there wasn't enough action or sciencey bits to otherwise fill my interests. I wouldn't say that the film contributed anything new to me. The best part was the cinematography, but the content of the shots was not striking enough to leave any lasting impressions.

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.

The above summary is a quote from a reviewer who stated it better than I could. "A journey past the known and into the unknown, ... this film ... uses sci-fi elements to enable the main character - a physicist whose specialty is quantum mechanics - to selflessly uplift and have an effect on those around him in a positive manner." Bill Sage does a marvelous job of character development. The supporting cast is excellent as well. In the interest of full disclosure, since I had a bit part in this film: Lest you think this is a self-serving review, my small scene was cut.The audience all left the theater feeling better than we did when we came in. I urge you to see this unique film.