First of all I very much liked this film. It's alway lovely to watch two symmetrically perfect human beings enjoy each other and allow us to watch. Kristen Stewart is an underrated actress with the potential of great things and I hope to enjoy her more. Nicholas Hoult is a beautiful man and a very good actor who is developing well.
This film is, however, an incredible rip off of George Lucas' first film, THX 1138. How the film makers weren't sued I don't know. The near future is blandly gorgeous with "clean" humans whose only dread is obsolescence by way of our frailty as emotional, thoughtful creatures.. This has been bred out of us however genetics is a persistent and ever evolving pesky little demon which has weakened our ability to resist the aforementioned weakness of emotions. We witness two intelligent but remorselessly bland individuals slowly realize that they are inflected with emotion. Unfortunately those that can not fight it are doomed to the DEN where they are ruthlessly tortured and persuaded to kill themselves. Both Hoult, "Silas" and Stewart "Nia" fall in love and the plot then revolves on them getting away with it and getting away. There is good supporting drama from Guy Pierce and the wonderful Jacki Weaver but I am haunted by the future always being shades of grey with the only hope being that of escape. I loved THX 1138 when I was a very young film lover and I remember it. Which is why I liked Equals. I only hope it was meant as a homage. However I don't think I will remember it.
Reviews
2 Reviews
Cargo
(I) (2017)
Yeah the scenery is great but it's the acting that gets you
23 May 2018
Martin Freeman is a journeyman actor of profound skill. This story without him and a powerfully brilliant supporting cast would have been another in a seemingly endlessly forgettable advert for the outback. I am not a zombie fan and in the hands of a less talented company this could have easily turned out silly, a Sunday diversion. However I was completely transfixed by the story which was so effortlessly beautiful and real it could have just as well been located anywhere. A story of the power of promises and the raw selfless devotion of parenthood. And the best baby actor I've ever seen. You don't have to like Australia, (but who doesn't in fairness?), or zombies or stories with really cute kids you don't even have to like Mr Freeman. But you will.
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