Sunday, August 21, 2011

The Future - Movie Review

The Future (R) 91 minutes A-
Full of possibilities... or not

Starring Hamish Linklater, Miranda July, Isabella Acres, Joe Putterlik, Angela Trimbur, David Warshofsky, Mary Passeri

Miranda July is an artist in every sense of the word.  Sure, she's a little quirky and her art is an acquired taste.  But whether you like her or not, there's no denying that she's an original.  Her latest film may seem whimsical, and probably a little strange to those unfamiliar with her work.  Yet, below the surface, The Future is a telling anecdote about loneliness, missed opportunities, and yes... the future.
  
Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but several things in this film felt symbolic of current society, as well as our not so distant future.  Paw Paw (a stray cat and the film's narrator), for example, could be interpreted as a symbol of those who are wounded (literally or figuratively) and waiting for that big break, that something or someone who will change their lives. 

The story follows Sophie (July) and Jason (Linklater), a non-assuming couple who have been together almost 4 years.   They live a low-maintenance/low impact lifestyle; she's a preschool dance teacher and he does tech support from home.  In 30 days they will be adopting a stray cat (Paw Paw), but before they become pet parents they've decided to take advantage of their freedom and live it up. They quit their jobs and vow to do whatever and go wherever life takes them.  They begin to explore future possibilities and in a dramatic twist (because these two seem made for each other) they find that the future is not at all what they expected or hoped (such is life, that's for sure).

Funny and intriguing, I recommend this film for those seeking something a little different.  General audiences proceed with caution.

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