Reminiscence is a poor man's Nolan film. A pulpy, neonoir inspired sci fi mystery that plays with time and memory. Where Nolan likely would have left us with puzzles and questions, Reminiscence lays it all out for us clearly so there is no doubt what's happened. The mystery only lasts for as long as the run time and then it's all wrapped up in a nice little bow. But you know what, it doesn't matter because despite whatever shortcomings the film has it still grabs you and doesn't let go. It is gripping from start to finish, even as all the dominoes fall in their predictable pattern.
Writer/director Lisa Joy has made a gorgeous movie. Her dystopian Miami is all neon lovely, just sketchy enough to be both alluring and repulsive. And everyone is beautiful from Jackman's grizzled yet perfect gumshoe stand-in, to Ferguson's too perfect femme fetal, to Newton's worn down sidekick, to Daniel Wu's misunderstood gangster. Reminiscence is visually stunning from start to finish.
It doesn't matter that the technology is too problematic to feel real or that the tangled plot relies on far too many coincidences to ring true (a hallmark of the pulp genre so we forgive it). Nothing about Reminiscence should work yet it still remains enjoyable. Sure I wish it was a better movie over all. There are so many elements here that just could have pushed this over the top into a great film. But it remains a little bit of a guilty pleasure yet still a pleasure.
Reminiscene
Starring: Hugh Jacksman, Rebecca Ferguson, Thandiwe Newton, Cliff Curtis, Daniel Wu, Marina de Tavira, Brett Cullan
Writer/Director: Lisa Joy
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