Having read and heard some reviews prior to watching this film, I was at best a bit skeptical. Matt Damon might be a good leading man for an action movie or a thriller, but whenever you add the word romantic to the movie description, I'd pick an actor with a few more emotional expressions at his disposal. That screenplay writer George Nolfi, also in his directorial debut, is choosing to use Matt Damon, a friend and collaborator from lots of previews projects, makes that choice at least more understandable.
Adding to the difficulty of this movie is the rather ambitious choice of topics. The movie clearly gives a nod to Inception in its source material, I found myself thinking about Nolan's masterpiece again and again while watching Matt Damon's character trying to make sense of the story's sci-fi elements. Addressing free will, modern perception of religion, whether or not a successful career is more important than true love, and mixing it into a world where apparently men in black suits have the power to freeze time and bend the laws of physics... unless it rains.
It's alot to process and it makes the romantic backstory stick out like a sore thumb. I found it hard relating to Damon's struggle to literally chase down his romantic interest in this film, a very elusive, but charming Emily Blunt, all while antagonizing what seems to be parts of AMC's Mad Men-cast. Go see this and you'll get the reference.
So is that something you should do? I say yes. A movie that tries to do everything tends to fall a little short here and there. Give it some wiggle-room and all in all, this is a good attempt that never falls from grace in my eyes. It throws around a few good ideas that will make you think, uses great locations to film their scenes, it paces well, and the direction and acting is more than competent. Plus, I want one of those almancs!
6 out of 10 stars - Not for the hardcore sci-fi fan, but for everyone else, give it a try!
