I was misled by the byline of this movie to think it was actually science fiction. That's the only reason I hung on and watched the entire thing, thinking that at some point, the still-missing sci-fi angle was going to come into play ? It never did. So they pulled a fast one in the marketing by claiming there is any sci-fi element to this movie, there is not. Yes, you will feel a bit had after sitting through this thing.
This movie is simply about bleak living in a town where there's nothing to aspire to, apparently aimless and uncreative types who can't think their way out of their life situations live there, and low empathy fathers who just bolt and leave town without even a good-bye to their loved ones drive the supposed mystery to this story. There's no mystery. The dads are smart enough to leave this dull hellhole behind, but selfish and cruel enough to not explain themselves to anybody, leaving behind clueless and angry families they deserted.
There's a pretentious narration over the story from the protagonist, played blandly by Jeff Wahlberg, whose character Mickey is apparently a teenager of some undetermined age but looks like such a baby face that you have no idea what his character's age is supposed to be and could be even just a 14 year old. Who knows ? That's what makes the sex scene between him and a local girl actually uncomfortable to watch.
Ultimately, this is a drawn out, aimless and meaningless slice of small town life on the edge of society depiction. Not much of interest happens at all, just erosion.
The only thing at all I liked about this film was discovering Henry Hopper in a minor but tantalizing role. His character Ray's interactions with character Eva are the only scenes worth watching in this entire film. Even so, the story between them goes nowhere and like the rest of this movie, winds up unsatisfying. But I'll be watching for Henry Hopper in future movies. Never knew Dennis Hopper had an actor son, and Henry HAS charisma, good looks and talent ! Rashida Jones, who plays Eva, is always good anyways and does what she can with a minor role in this film.
I don't recommend sitting through this movie unless you want a catalyst to plunging into angst and depression one afternoon when you have nothing better to do. If you don't have anything better to do, really, get something better to do. If you already have angst and depression, maybe comparing yourself to the aimless lives of these characters will possibly make you feel better about your own life and yourself.
This movie is simply about bleak living in a town where there's nothing to aspire to, apparently aimless and uncreative types who can't think their way out of their life situations live there, and low empathy fathers who just bolt and leave town without even a good-bye to their loved ones drive the supposed mystery to this story. There's no mystery. The dads are smart enough to leave this dull hellhole behind, but selfish and cruel enough to not explain themselves to anybody, leaving behind clueless and angry families they deserted.
There's a pretentious narration over the story from the protagonist, played blandly by Jeff Wahlberg, whose character Mickey is apparently a teenager of some undetermined age but looks like such a baby face that you have no idea what his character's age is supposed to be and could be even just a 14 year old. Who knows ? That's what makes the sex scene between him and a local girl actually uncomfortable to watch.
Ultimately, this is a drawn out, aimless and meaningless slice of small town life on the edge of society depiction. Not much of interest happens at all, just erosion.
The only thing at all I liked about this film was discovering Henry Hopper in a minor but tantalizing role. His character Ray's interactions with character Eva are the only scenes worth watching in this entire film. Even so, the story between them goes nowhere and like the rest of this movie, winds up unsatisfying. But I'll be watching for Henry Hopper in future movies. Never knew Dennis Hopper had an actor son, and Henry HAS charisma, good looks and talent ! Rashida Jones, who plays Eva, is always good anyways and does what she can with a minor role in this film.
I don't recommend sitting through this movie unless you want a catalyst to plunging into angst and depression one afternoon when you have nothing better to do. If you don't have anything better to do, really, get something better to do. If you already have angst and depression, maybe comparing yourself to the aimless lives of these characters will possibly make you feel better about your own life and yourself.