An old professor, Dominic Matei (Tim Roth), is struck by lightning and is miraculously given a new lease on life. Restored to his youthful self, he seeks to understand the nature of his condition, and ultimately complete his book on the origins of speech — known as the proto-language. It’s no easy task, but a chance encounter with a woman — who resembles his lost love — could hold the keys to unraveling the mysteries of life, and the origin of man.
I don’t know about you, but there’s just something about metaphysical subject material that enthralls me, especially when it is presented in film. Perhaps it’s because the film medium is far more expressive and boundless than text, and as such, it can convey complex abstract thoughts far easier — not to mention, make them more entertaining. Even still, I’d venture to guess that I in the minority here as box-office returns for metaphysical epics such as “Youth Without Youth” and “The Fountain” — to name a few — represent a general consumer indifference to the philosophical narrative.
If I had to guess, I would say that the main difference between myself and the average movie-goer is that I’m more patient, and far more interested in the exploratory nature of these most delicate, and personal films. I’d much rather see directors take a chance on a labor of love and fail, than to turn churn out a mainstream piece of crap.
Of course, not everyone can appreciate these types of films. They are largely inaccessible because they only appeal to those with open minds — which seems to be something of rarity these days — and they demand your full attention, which doesn’t bode well for film-goer that’s accustomed to mind-numbing action flicks. Nor are these films intended for the raucous crowd that’s compelled to give their own uninvited commentary in the middle of a packed theater.
If you are willing to give this film your undivided attention, and you are even mildly interested in the metaphysical realm of science/philosophy, then this film will likely become a new favorite of yours.
Aside from the metaphysical roots, the film also boasts a very potent, romantic core — not just between the two lovers in the film, but comparisons could also be drawn to Man’s passion for knowledge, his quest for meaning, the origins of time, our love of science and our pursuit to understand the unknown. Needless to say, Coppola and Eliade heartily romanticize the scientific and philosophical elements of the story and the result is intoxicating, and occasionally dizzying — perhaps even requiring a second or third viewing to digest all of the theories throughout. All of it is done to great effect though, as the lead character is obsessed with his life’s work — the pursuit of the “proto-language” — and the visual/narrative techniques employed throughout help to strengthen our understanding of his dedication.
Beyond that, it is also a cautionary tale about the advancement of science to the point of extinction or — on the flip side — evolution. Could it be that all we’ve come to know and understand, and subsequently create, might destroy us? Or could it be that all of these forces around us will coalesce and bring about the next great leap in human evolution?
These are but a few of the questions that the film posits, or that you might derive from it on your own. If any of that sounds boring or dull, you should probably skip this one. However, if you find yourself genuinely intrigued by what you’ve read thus far, I urge you to give this film a rent at the very least. Personally, I found the film incredibly engaging and rewarding, and while I can’t envision it garnering mass appeal, I still heartily recommend it to anyone that’s interested.
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