Friday, May 20, 2011

Neverlost and Juggling Realities: A Movie Review

*full disclosure: a screener of this film was provided by Chad Archibald.

**Here be some spoilers.

Director/writer: Chad Archibald.

Neverlost is the latest thriller to creep out of Guelph, Ontario, from writer and Director Chad Archibald (Desperate Souls). This title is showing theatrically June 16th in Montreal and more details on this showing are available here (Neverlost - Montreal Showing). Neverlost is firmly set in the genre of psychological thriller, with the addition of some horror and gore scenes to unsettle viewers. Archibald's latest film dabbles in two spheres of reality and you will be asking yourself: what is real and what is not? But, does the question even matter, when what the viewer and Josh, the central protagonist, experience both appear real? This reviewer would argue that both are real, to the extent that if the experience appears and feels real, then it is. In the end, Neverlost is an exciting indie feature, with some twists and turns that will leave behind some viewers, while welcoming others.

Josh (Ryan Barrett) is an unemployed misery. He lives with a sexier version of the wicked-witch-of-the-west like wife, named Megan (Jennifer Polansky), while reminiscing of his former college flame, Kate (Emily Alatalo). Welcome to your first sphere of reality. Things get a little more exciting here, as Josh turns to a sleep medication to alleviate his insomnia and obvious depression. Turning from the miserable to the drug addicted seems to be a rough ride, with murder, robbery and later suicide making you the viewer feel pity.

The second sphere of reality is more kind and light, initially. Here, Josh is reunited with Kate, his former flame, who has died by fire in the first reality. Things are hot and romantic, until in steps the big bad wolf, or Kate's father. In both realities, Mr. Mills has burned down homes and ruined lives. Here, the villain switches from the earlier witch to the much gruffer beast, ever ready to blow down more homes. Unfortunately for Josh, he is tied up and unable to escape this second burning reality.

As the visuals and aural realities are real in both spheres, with no hint at hallucination (other than the use of drugs), then they are in effect real. However, Archibald keeps the events on the screen interesting, by switching back and forth between these two realities. There is no split of the conscious and unconscious as tried by James Mangold's psychological states in Identity (2003). Instead, what you get is a tragic central figure and a tragic ending, which should be somewhat expected in the thriller genre.

Moving to theatres around the country, indie thriller fans will enjoy what Archibald has recently cooked up in his film studio. Neverlost feels a little stretched; yet, the result is mostly an enjoyable time, with some stumbling in pacing near the final act. Head to the theatres next month and try not to question the fiction too deeply, because this film is meant as an exciting thriller. The film accomplishes much of this goal.

Acting/believability/interpretation: 7 (Alatalo seemed slightly hesitant in her scenes, and there were a couple of scenes that could have been retried, known of the scenes stand out as poor or average).
Directing techniques/camera use: 8 (lots of opportunities to try different angles and sound effects with the story).

Overall: 7.5 out of 10.

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