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Primer
Shane Carruth
New Line Home Video
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Geeky dialog could not have been worse!
Hated it! When I have to turn on subtitles for an American film to have the slightest idea of what is going on, then something's wrong in my book. This talky, nowhere film may have an appeal to some, but I vehemently hated it. Sundance Award or no Sundance Award, "Primer" would have never won in my book.
Written about engineers... for engineers... by engineers
This movie really isn't a movie... it really doesn't work as a satire... but it truly is a great experience. At its core it really is.... a primer. It's a glance at the what/how/whys of the discovery of time travel. All the elements are there. And it is truly intended to give you no answers (after all... it's not called "Conclusions").
My first viewing of Primer was on IFC, and I started watching it 15 minutes into it. I ended that viewing angry above all else. I decided there must have been something I missed in that first 15 minutes that ties it all together.
So I watched it again, in its entirety. And then I began to understand.
Primer goes through the process of discovery... what can be considered a REAL scientific discovery. Which is actually not convenient to a movie format. But they do it, and leave it raw, with the crosstalk, tedious explanations, and egotistical posturing that goes along with any engineer who thinks they're right (believe me... it happens).
Then after discovery, it delves into the human condition. Wanting to exploit it for profit, then considering the moral implications, then devolving into the selfishness of trying to play god.
And the way it is filmed, as things progress, there are intentional gaps as timelines become more blurred and disconnected. This makes Primer incredibly original, and great fun to play with the possibilities.
It truly stimulates the mind, and gives you something to walk away with and think about for days after viewing. THIS is a measure of a great film. And when you think about the spirit of the film, its budget constraints, it makes Primer a must see.
If you are an engineer, or know engineers, you owe it to yourself, or them, to see Primer.
5 Yawns
This movie has an interesting concept. But if you like watching paint dry then you will love this slow moving uneventful drama. I recommend this movie before buying sleeping pills.
Another thing! Don't these guys change their clothes? Even at a party they wore the same shirt and tie! Then they go to work in the same shirt and tie.
I wish these guys would have traveled back in time and killed themselves because maybe this torturous movie would not have been made.
Great film, bad DVD
Given the complex nature of the script... i thought that listening to the director commentary would clear some things up... because even though I've seen it about 3 times, i still don't have all the clones straight... so I bought the DVD...
Surprise!... there's two commentary tracks, none of which talk about the plot, or clear up any of the time travel permutations!!! Both commentaries talk about camera angles, how much that prop cost, how many hours of sleep they got while shooting... "see that guy sitting on that chair, that's my brother"... gee, thanks...
Don't buy this DVD if you want to get insight into the plot... because they deliberately DO NOT talk about the plot points (on both commentary tracks)... as the commentary rolls on, I just kept getting more and more frustrated and angry... PLS STOP TELLING ME ABOUT THE FILMSTOCK AND LOCATIONS... NONE OF IT IS INTERSTING... AND ITS NOT WHAT YOUR FANS WANT TO HEAR ABOUT!!!
By the end of the commentary, i ejected the dvd and threw it at my wall.
Wow...
Great movie to make your brain do backflips. While cheaply made (as you can see in the DVD special features), it is incredibly deep and mind-melting in plot. Keeps you on the edge of your seat if you like an intelligent "WTF is going on" type movie that will keep you confused yet excited.