Some movies linger in your head for days. The first movie I remember doing that was Donnie Darko. It was something like you wanted to make sense of, a puzzle which needed to be solved. Through the years I have seen other movies that have done this, one being Primer, directed by Shane Carruth. I never have been able to make complete sense of that movie (which I do not mind because Carruth himself has said he left out some essential parts to keep you guessing), but I still remember it fondly. It’s no surprise then that I was looking forward to his second movie, Upstream Color. I mentally prepared myself to be challenged and not being able to find answers again, but was that necessary?
Trying to give a summary of what happens almost immediately lands you in interpreting what you have watched. When the movie starts out it is clearly about identity theft and the consequences it has, but as the movie progresses it actually also asks what identity really is and if we are connected to others. But it is more than that.
Upstream Color never tells a clear story. To me it felt like a vivid dream, sometimes showing almost surreal imagery. There are moments where you will have a clear idea what is going on and others where you can only guess. After you see it I was looking for an explanation, answers and I was sure I had missed little details which would become clear after a rewatch (which I still have not done yet).
Although not as confusing as Primer, this is not a movie you can go into expecting to relax. You will have to pay attention in order to pick up on things. You will have a general idea what it is about, but you will be searching for the smaller pieces of the puzzle and their meaning. It is a great movie to discuss with others and there are not many movies which manage to do it the way this one does. I might not have told you anything about the characters in it (Kris played by Amy Seimetz and Shane Carruth as Jeff), but they are only little parts of a bigger story. After seeing this I wanted to see the whole globe (what the story meant), not each and every person on it. Upstream Color will challenge you and more movies should do that.
Interesting. Where do you find these movies? They do not show up on our cable stations. Netflix?
Basically I listen to a lot of podcasts and movies like this are often discussed, plus for this one I knew the director was working on a new movie, so I kept an eye out for it. I don’t have Netflix here, but I heard in one of the podcasts it was available in streaming format, so I assume it is on there…
Strong work. Loved Primer and can’t wait to catch up with this.
Thank you. Interested to know your thoughts on it.
Nice one Nostra. I’ve still not seen Primer and keep hearing good things about that film and this one. They are definitely getting pushed up on my list to see.
Thanks Mark. Primer is an interesting movie although it will mess with your head 🙂 Check that out and this one as well if you like a challenge.
Good review! I liked it too however i have to watch it a few more times to understand it completely.
You are not the only one…I still should rewatch it as well.
Great film!!! Didn’t fully understand it but the direction and visuals were outstanding.
Me neither, but that’s a good reason to revisit!
Great review of (by far) the best film I’ve seen so far this year. I absolutely loved how it made me analyze and think. I couldn’t agree more with you: more movies should challenge us the way Upstream Color does.
Wow, that’s high praise. It isn’t my personal favorite, but could end up in my top 10.