Directed By: Zal Batmanglij
Written By: Zal Batmanglij & Brit Marling
Cinematography By: Rachel Morrison
Editor: Tamara Meem
Cast: Brit Marling, Christopher Denham, Nicole Vicius, Davenia McFadden, Kandice Stroh, Constance Wu, James Urbaniak
Two documentary filmmakers attempt to penetrate a cult who worships a woman who claims to be from the future.
Co-written by the star of the film Brit Marling. She wrote a good mystery here that let's others shine, but also wrote a role for herself that inevitably would lead to stardom as she has he swagger and charisma of one in her role. That you can't take your eyes off of her. It is the best way to get work. To create your own opportunities especially if you are luckily talented in both ways, though that is rare. Now even if sometimes it feels like a pretentious gesture, let's just admit it who is going to take an opportunity and relegate themselves to the background. Brit Marling wrote the role of Maggie with herself in mind to play the part.
As much as I was ready to tear this film down in certain aspects. I must say that the film grabs you and is captivating from the opening scenes and throughout the rest of the film.
The film keeps you guessing and off kilter in more experimental ways of presenting he story. While finding inventive ways to inform you of information to help deepen and fully understand the characters, story and situations.
It's like the first time I was reading the book JESUS' SON I felt like I was taken on an adventure to a place I have never been before and never even dreamed of. Yet i enjoyed the ride and sights that could never be duplicated the book was smart and felt artistic and the way it told it's story more in sketches of writing. It's story wasn't a trick more a necessity through an artistic device. It was the only way it could tell it's particular story.
Though this film seems simple. The way it tells it's story is different than normal. The way it's hot it communicates it's messages to inform you and make you feel some kind of way, it immerses you in the process and reveals to you information that even as a close confidant. You would think you would know, but information that we can freely let go of with strangers and let their immediate seduction of us goes so deep that it lays down roots and grows even though we are not aware of it. Because deep inside we are nourishing them unknowingly. --You think you know someone until they reveal themselves in front of stranger and they can be just as foreign to you as it seems they are releasing their true identity then and here or at least a new side of themselves.
It's not romantic film yet has a romanticism in it though not necessarily of love more of being intimate and trust. As the film works on two levels analyzing relationships between the members and each other in Romantic couplings and a story of faith and trust. With maybe a hint of sci-fi.
The first in an intended trilogy of films following Maggie and her cult. Though well-received, Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij have said they do not know if the subsequent films will ever be produced.
The film is broken down like a book into chapters that seem to begin and end as we get deeper into the story and new information. We also learn the beliefs of the cult and how they intermingle and relate to the loves o the people. Investigating like it was created perfectly for them as it relates and helps them release. Maybe it's an example of the seduction. How it can mean different things to different people, but gives hem he same enlightenment and peace. Takes the stance that not all cults need to be a bad thing or that they are just a group with similar so called far out beliefs.
This is a film best to go into blind as it is most effectual and enjoyed that way. It pulls you in. There is a lot to say for the mystery at times when it involves going into situations sometimes art. No preconceived notions you let it lead you and you discover it for yourself.
How that intimacy leads to jealousy by others who thought they were close to you. How It can slowly reveals itself as a rivalry.
It deals with many subjects touching on them or maybe I am just reading too much into it.
It ends open ended, but his so many levels seen and unseen.
Spoiler
Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij both refuse to discuss the true "meaning" of the film; i.e. Maggie's true identity, the significance of Abigail to the cult or the Justice Department's true interest in Maggie. Both have said there are subtle clues in the film that answer some of these lingering questions, but that even they don't know if Maggie is really a time traveler.
Spoiler End
Grade: B+
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