Reminiscence
Memories from a world of shadows
All endings are sad, especially if the story was happy. Thus begins the strange story of “Reminiscence” (USA, 2021). According to the narrator, the fact that happiness has already been achieved implies a sad ending. That bitter thought reflects well the main character, war veteran Nick Bannister (Hugh Jackman).
Nick’s thinking matches the world he lives in. After many wars with other countries, social upheaval reached the United States and divided the nation. The effect of man has also contributed to make things worse, as global warming has caused the rise in sea levels, flooding many coastal lands. Cities like Miami, where Nick lives, had to learn to live with it, becoming modern versions of Venice.
After his experience in war, Nick has dedicated to a curious business. Aided by Watts Sanders (Thandiwe Newton), a former army companion, he helps to reactivate certain memories of people, with the aid of special equipment.
The system applies to reactivating specific memories that people want to relive, either because they were important or pleasant, and that for natural reasons, there is a tendency to forget.
One day, Nick’s routine was broken with the arrival of Mae (Rebecca Fergunson). The girl makes such an impression that he looks for her to return a pair of earrings forgotten in the laboratory. The attraction between them is intense and it doesn’t take long to establish a relationship.
One day, however, Mae just disappears without explanation. Stunned, Nick begins to investigate her whereabouts, but each discovery leads to construction of a bad image of the girl. On this quest, Nick has to face new and dangerous characters, such as gangster Saint Joe (Daniel Wu), ex-cop Cyrus Boothe (Cliff Curtis) and millionaire Walter Sylvan (Brett Cullen).
The most interesting aspect of “Reminiscence” is that, despite technically being in the science-fiction genre (history set in the future, dystopian society , etc), we can perfectly classify this movie as cinema noir, the detective film of the 1940s and 50 with very distinct characteristics. “The Maltese Falcon” (USA, 1941) is considered an icon of this cinema.
“Reminiscence” is very much at home as cinema noir. All the common elements are present, such as desperate characters, crimes, corruption and moral weakness. Rebecca well embodies the mysterious and ambiguous femme fatale, while Cliff Curtis is the corrupt and violent cop. Jackman, in turn, is the protagonist tormented by the mistakes of the past and the deception of the false and malicious love story.
Technically, the film is impeccable, with excellent computer-created landscapes , exquisite special effects in recreating memories, as well as the submerged backdrops of Miami. Excellent direction and script, by director Lisa Joy, who signs both.
It’s possible that many viewers don’t like the dark mood of the film, especially younger audiences, used to popcorn cinema, with unbeatable heroes and happy endings. “Reminiscence”, however, is very clear from the beginning, establishing its limits.
For movie lovers, it is a rare opportunity to observe an exercise in mixing genres, with science fiction presented in a noir environment, with great performances and a well-defined script. It is also valid to escape the sameness of repetitive Hollywood blockbusters. Try it out.