One of the best reviewed films of 2014 (99/100), James Ward Byrkit’s sci-fi thriller managed to elude me until this past week. I knew nothing about the film except that it was a sci-fi thriller and when I finally had a chance to sit down and watch the film, I was glad I did it. Coherence is one of the smartest films I’ve seen this year and one of the best films about time and space made in the past 15 years. Spoiler free review to follow.
“On the night of an astronomical anomaly, eight friends at a dinner party experience a troubling chain of reality bending events.” As a comet flies over, all of the power in the house goes out, but when they see the lights on in another house, a couple of people leave to go try and use their phone. When the two return, things take a strange and confusing turn, leaving everyone feeling anxious, perplexed and in a worrisome state. The film becomes both a sci-fi thriller and a relationship drama that continually adds layers of mystery as each unsteady moment passes.
Coherence reminded me a lot of the ensemble, end of the world comedy It’s a Disaster, mostly because they’re both sci-fi films that turn a group gathering upside down, focusing on the troubling situation the characters find themselves and the troubled relationships with each other. There’s a ton of yelling, bickering, arguing and confusion as each character responds to the odd situation in their own way. It’s how you’d imagine any group of diverse personalities to react and, at some point, it can give you a headache because there is so much bickering and drama as well as confusion with the whole sci-fi element that you just want to yell “enough already!”
Much like the way Primer takes you through multiple levels of time travel until you have no idea what’s happening anymore, Coherence takes you on a different, but just as deep adventure through time, leaving you with a few questions, but thankfully also with coherent (no pun intended) answers. For fans of sci-fi, it’s a gripping film that’s smart, captivating, full of good twists and manages to make you think both during the flick and well after the credits roll. Coming in at a tight 88 minutes, there isn’t much time wasted on unnecessary exposition and James Ward Byrkit finds a nice balance between the sci-fi elements and the drama created among the dinner party friends. There’s just enough character development throughout to keep you intrigued even if you could care less about what they’re doing to each other.
While the film is certainly intimate, it feels like an independent film and with that comes a few things I didn’t like. The way it’s shot using rough handheld work didn’t seem necessary for every scene. It’s like the filmmakers were trying to document something rather than properly film it. For tense, action oriented moments I’d understand, but it’s not like we’re watching The Office, we don’t need constant documentarian movements. I’d rather be able to focus clearly on the situation that’s unravelling than be distracted by the camera work. Furthermore, the acting didn’t feel consistent, some people were great while others, well, they just didn’t cut it for the entire duration. Also, and this is just a personal thing, one of the female leads (Emily Foxler) reminded me a lot of Katherine Heigl, both in looks and how her character was distressed, constantly worried and just a pain to watch. Em was constantly telling odd stories, was very self-conscious, and was very anxious even before the night went to shit. Suffice to say I didn’t like her character.
Overall, I really, really liked Coherence. I had a couple issues with the way it was shot and the inconsistencies with a few of the actors, but there is no denying the originality and thrilling nature of the film. We don’t get many great time bending films, but when we do they are always a treat. Coherence is a film that’s worth sharing with others, is blessed with the fact that it can be re-watched over and over, and is a wonderfully chilling film that engulfs you for its tight 88 minute duration.
Rating: A highly satisfying sci-fi flick whose mesmerizing time bending story meshes well into the relationship drama that surrounds it (7.7/10)
Special Features:
Feature length audio commentary with writer/director James Ward Byrkit, writer/actress Alex Manugian and actress Emily Foxler
Behind the Scenes of Coherence
Original camera test film footage
Theatrical Trailer
Coherence will be available on DVD January 20th from Oscilloscope Laboratories
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