No. 67 (2021) REMINISCIENCE AUGUST 18th.

 

Film No. 67 (2021)  August 18th.  6:45 PM   Cinema 4   GRAND CINEMAS,  Warwick. 

"When the waters began to rise, the war broke out. Nostalgia became a way of life. There wasn't a lot to look forward to" (One of many Nick Bannister voice overs to lead the audience into the experience that is REMINISCIENCE).

There is a strong resemblance to BLADE RUNNER and MINORITY REPORT here in REMINISCENCE. Ambitious to say the least (in my book), but there is a lot to like here. Peppered as it is with a few confusing plot-line issues, REMINISCIENCE is a wholesomely entertaining big screen flick. A film easy to recommend to people who love the cinema but who are particularly discerning about what they see on their 6 to 8 annual visits.     

Hugh Jackman has a reputation for choosing his projects carefully. For Hugh it is all about the script and he does his homework to ensure his next challenge is substantial and entertaining. In REMINISCENCE  he's chosen to work with a rookie director he holds in high esteem, Lisa Joy, and a talented lead in Rebecca Ferguson, an actor he has gelled with previously (THE GREATEST SHOWMAN). It's a shame this big screen crowd pleaser will be viewed by most on a streaming network. To live in Perth, Western Australia during these times is such a privilege.

I try, in this humble blog of mine, to give away less of a film's plot and storyline than its promotional trailer does. I worry when a 3 minute trailer gives so much away about the essence of a film's story that so many who watch it walk away feeling they've seen the film. I'm recommending that if you haven't seen the trailer - don't. 

REMINISCIENCE starts with a BLADE RUNNER type voice-over  (Hugh even sounds like Harrison). We're introduced to a world in the future. Climate change has inflicted havoc on the world, in this case Florida Keys. The rising sea levels are lapping at level 10 of high-rise buildings. Harrison, I beg your pardon, Hugh (Nick) explains his world. With so little to look forward to, memories become a way of life. He's a D.A. with access to the film's smart idea. A pod, where, while partially submerged in water, participants are lulled into reliving memories. These memories would then be played out, theatrically through defused light (hologram-like) onto a podium for onlookers to view.

So what if Nick meets and falls for a memory seeking client, Mae? They fall head over heels in love, then Mae disappears as suddenly as she appeared. Nick cannot accept Mae's disappearance. Nick digs for the truth, the deeper he digs (nostalgia mechanism) the more dangerous his mission becomes. It's tight, it's tense. Hugh drags us along to a climax that cries out for a bit more, but who cares? Not me. Highly addictive entertainment is REMINISCIENCE. But steer clear of the trailer if you can!  10GUMS.