Paycheck

In desperation to write another review I am resorting to a movie we saw on TV over the weekend.

Alas, I have little time to review novels etc with all the business of packing and preparing to move to Tasmania (in 39 days!).

This film, starring Ben Affleck and Uma Thurman (great onscreen chemistry) is a futuristic film, delving into the idea of what happens if we could see our future. Ben's character says something along the idea that when we see our future, we make it happen. If we see a war, we fight to avoid it. Thought provoking eh?

Ben's character, whose name presently escapes my foggy mind, works for three years to engineer a machine that sees the future. After this, his memory is erased by some sci-fi invention. The film is unusual in that as viewers we do not see what he makes; we have to work that out.

I love a mystery. Whilst working, Ben's character sends himself a package, so he would receive it in the future. He decided not to accept his paycheque, in return for these items. He eventually works out that he must have sent these items to himself for a good reason. The mystery evolves as he has to decide what each item means, as he has to use it in a certain way so he can find out what he invented, and what he must do to it.

The film ends well and I love the fluent structure of this one. I enjoyed and believed each character's performance. The film tackles themes such as love, jilted friendships, betrayal, money, corruption and lust for power. It also makes us question the values we may hold in the future.

A very enjoyable viewing. ****