Reminiscence – Movie Reviews by Ry!
Reminiscence – Hollow Memories: A Reverie of Lost Time
Through the unknown, we seek purpose in circumstance. If it is by chance or choice, the meanings sought can make manners better (or worse). Capturing these points in a story, it showcases ideas that can bring together emotional worth in the mysteries of the journey. In this review, I look at the latest from Warner Bros that brings a tale of Sci-Fi and mystery. Through the nature of human discourse, it is a journey fraught with potential. Even with a strong lead, Reminiscence is a faltering story that begs the question … can memories make living any better?
The story follows Nick Bannister (Hugh Jackman), a private detective of the mind. When a simple case turns into an obsession, will he be able to find the truth within the tangles of the heart? With this film, you have a story built on the basic mystery outline through a twofold approach. Through the foundation, the film begins with the first approach: a world living on the hopes of fragile time. The buildup of this false hope is provided through a mix of narration, world-building and character pieces placed on the ‘sandbox’ checkerboard. Through this mix, we learn about Nick and his partner Watt’s (Thandiwe Newton) private detective job in a flooded Miami. They are using a technological device called The Tank. This device allows them to access memories, using it to help people ‘continue to live’ in this lost world or the DEA office to ‘solve crime’. Through circumstantial plot foddering, they meet Mae (Rebecca Ferguson). After a few conversational moments and melodramatic sequences, Nick is led down a path of unknown consequences. Her introduction provides the second approach: the romantic mystery. Once Nick gets entangled in Mae’s path, the obsession begins to have a ripple effect on his life. Driven through this twofold approach, the astute character spirals downward by the fragility of love in a world drowned by circumstance. This provides a window of opportunity for storytelling, giving a path of subtle dynamic to the Nick and Mae’s relationship. Through the linear directive, we are given ‘pieces’ of the puzzle through layers of the world, usage of technology and mystery like tropes. It is mix bag of forced exposition and noir like visuals, bringing the audience along a journey that showcases the reverie of life’s purpose.
As Nick begins to unravel Mae’s past, it becomes a matter of emotional fortitude. The dynamic of flashbacks is engrained within plot techniques, driven through the usage of The Tank. The confliction of the past begins to divulge some evidence, leaving an opening of questions. With new revelations coming to light, the genuine appeal of the journey becomes laced with forced connection for plot navigation. By hollowing out the experience, the twofold approach rears its ugly head in a lethargic display of lazy scriptwriting. Bringing everything into forced explanations, the third act tumbles into a general display of mystery tropes and predictable outcomes. This leads into an anticlimactic treatment for the Nick and Mae storyline. Reminiscence is a mystery is a hollow experience of lost potential. There are strong moments, but nothing worth remembering. If you are a fan of those involved or want to take a chance, go for it. Otherwise, its just a rental.
Full Score – 2 out of 5 (Rental)