This review contains an in-depth discussion of specific elements through ROT13 encoding.
Characters: 0
Screenplay: 1
Cinematography: 3
Emotional: 3
Overall: 1.5
An interesting stream of consciousness with good subject matter on a mismatched medium. While serving a great introduction to lucid dreaming and philosophy of life, it lacks many essential qualities of a good film.
The film revolves around Wiggin's character. An explorer of his subconscious, he learns from himself the meaning of life. Throughout the film, we see him grow from his humble beginnings as a simple observer— but there isn't much to it.
The rest of the characters, or rather, projections of his subconscious, don't have much depth or growth to them.
As a result, it's pretty hard to identify with any of the characters and care about any outcomes of the movie.
Thrown at us are a bunch of theories and philosophies, overheard by the protagonist at some point in his life. "They all sound familiar, like I'd heard them from somewhere." At this point in his life, his subconscious chooses to hash them out a bit.
While the theories and views of life are in themselves interesting, the protagonist and the audience is, for the most part, sitting quietly at a lecture. There are no debates, few real discussions, and nothing for the audience to look forward to or invest in.
In addition, the theories are strewn together seemingly randomly while potentially being quite hard to digest, when not acclimated. They don't build upon each other, or follow any kind of logical path. There is no questioning, refutation, conflict, or conclusion. We are just going from one rambling lecture to the next, learning of the raw theory.
On the other hand, it paints a realistic picture of the philosophical dreams we may have. And there is a nice homage to Before Sunset/Sunrise.
Nevertheless, there are a number of clues that give a deeper meaning and interpretation to the film.
This movie of well known for its unique rotoscoping animation. It gives an accurate visceral feeling of the dreamworld: walking the line of reality and fantasy. While it can be a bit nauseating or old at times, there is always something interesting to watch.
The score, mostly written and performed by the Tosca Tango Orchestra, is excellent. The tango club scene's music, in particular, was scintillating. Two of my favorite instruments: accordion and piano, in beautiful harmony.
The score does a good job of letting us relax between the heavy dialog, without being haughty or seeping into every scene.
The film does a great job of introducing people to areas of abstract thought about life and of lucid dream. Combined with the rambling stream of passion given characters and meaning behind the film, it reaches a certain level of appreciation for me.
View comments with spoilers.
While at first glance, it appears that it is a movie about waking up from a life of ignorance, there are a number of clues that point towards our protagonist being dead.
The beginning of the film starts off with his childhood, hinting at the possibility of life flashing before his eyes.&aofc; There are a number symbols of death: skull-and-crossbones, getting hit by a car, and many scenes involving him being transported somewhere on a train: a symbol of a journey one is not in control of.&aofc; He notes that this dream is "different" and "as if [he's] being prepared for something."&aofc; Near the end of the film, cryptic comments are made about death to Wiggins.&aofc; Lastly, the film goes from daylight and the protagonist "holding on" to the car to night time and not being able to hold on any longer, before going up to the heavens.
It is tragic that the protagonist makes all these insights just as he passes away.
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