The Discovery
IMDB Rating : 6.5
Date Released : 3 - 31- 2017
Movie Genre : Drama, Mystery, Romance
Movie Stars : Robert Redford, Mary Steenburgen, Brian McCarthy
In the near future, due to a breakthrough scientific discovery by Dr. Thomas Harbor, there is now definitive proof of an afterlife. While countless people have chosen suicide to reset their existence, others try to decide what it all means.
Among them is Dr. Harbor's son Will, who has arrived at his father's isolated compound with a mysterious young woman named Isla. There, they discover the strange acolytes who help Dr. Harbor with his experiments.
Writer-director Charlie McDowell returns to Sundance this year with a
thriller about a scientist (played by Robert Redford) who uncovers
scientific proof that there is indeed an afterlife. His son is portrayed
by Jason Segel, who's not too sure about his father's "discovery", and
Rooney Mara plays a mystery woman who has her own reasons for wanting to
find out more about the afterlife.
In my opinion, the premise of this movie was a great one. Though I
could have done without idea of a love story being pushed in the
description, I felt that the plot made for a perfect psychological
thriller, or just a perfect horror movie, if nothing else; though since
the root of the concept the story ends up hinging on is pretty
horrifying when the fuller implications of such are thought through,
and especially when compared to the comforting finality of my own
personal religion's afterlife, perhaps it did end up being a horror
movie of sorts, for me, lol.
I was genuinely surprised by the direction the story took, despite the fact that, to agree with the other reviewer, it does end up boiling down to an over-sweet love story. I mean, the plot explains why such a strange pairing with such improbable coincidences bringing them together, would take place, but still, I think it's a shame that a story that was interesting on its own, had to suffer by being made the afterthought of such a shallow love story. ESotSM did it better, and actually had a reason for romance to be the root of it.
Nevertheless, though the movie tried to be prolific and profound, it was neither. Interestingly presented concept (and a phenomenally crafted opening scene), sure, but overall, it's an afterlife concept that's far from new and overused in other movies on the subject that try, but are unsuccessful at putting a new spin on an old religious idea.
So in the end, other critics were unfortunately correct in saying that the premise was good, but that little else was. A saving grace is that at least the production quality was there, however, which put it on par, in my opinion, with the likes of Melancholia, The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Bokeh, etc.
I was genuinely surprised by the direction the story took, despite the fact that, to agree with the other reviewer, it does end up boiling down to an over-sweet love story. I mean, the plot explains why such a strange pairing with such improbable coincidences bringing them together, would take place, but still, I think it's a shame that a story that was interesting on its own, had to suffer by being made the afterthought of such a shallow love story. ESotSM did it better, and actually had a reason for romance to be the root of it.
Nevertheless, though the movie tried to be prolific and profound, it was neither. Interestingly presented concept (and a phenomenally crafted opening scene), sure, but overall, it's an afterlife concept that's far from new and overused in other movies on the subject that try, but are unsuccessful at putting a new spin on an old religious idea.
So in the end, other critics were unfortunately correct in saying that the premise was good, but that little else was. A saving grace is that at least the production quality was there, however, which put it on par, in my opinion, with the likes of Melancholia, The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Bokeh, etc.
So, Robert Redford plays a scientist, Dr. Thomas Harbor, that has
discovered proof of the afterlife, at least in some basic form. Dr.
Harbor decides to go public with his findings, unexpectedly leading to
a sharp rise in worldwide suicides as folks from all walks of life try
to make it "there" (as the afterlife is so nonchalantly referred to by
characters in the movie). Only problem is, Dr. Harbor doesn't know
exact what "there" is, and whether "there" is a good thing or bad
thing.
To find out, Dr. Harbor sets up a Flatliners (1990)-style lab in an old, abandoned mansion reminiscent of any mental hospital of yesteryear. But then Harbor's oldest (Prodigal) son shows up to stop his father from "playing God" along with a mystery girl. And so now we have family drama, romance, and a syfy/thriller rolled into one, right? Well, yes, and no. Let me explain…
The Discovery starts out as more than just promising with Redford doing what first rate actors do, and without really doing much. However, what promises to be a more in-depth take on the dark, but thought-provoking plot of Flatliners from nearly three decades ago, soon takes a backseat to a contrived love story between Dr. Harbor's son and the mystery lady.
Sorry, but the love story can't carry The Discovery on its own. For one thing, the son, Will (Jason Segel) and the mystery woman, Isla (Rooney Mara) have zero chemistry and believability. A vacuum cleaner and a 1960s toaster oven could get together as replacements for Mara and Segel's scenes and there'd be more sparks. The half-baked script doesn't help matters either. Such a shame writers felt this relationship needed to be center stage at the cost of the afterlife syfy/thriller stuff. I really wanted to see what unique concepts they'd come up with for explaining the afterlife.
Well, those answers do come, sort of... But by the time the plot gets to that point, any enthusiasm the viewer has, has been killed by the utter boredom that transpires up to that point. There's also a big plot twist that isn't that big and combined with the revelation of what goes on in the afterlife, they both amount to one big snoozefest. This mess of a film just might cause folks to contemplate suicide in real life.
I also have problems with the plausibility of some things that go on in the film. For instance, Dr. Harbor has made arguably the greatest discovery in human history, and yet he has to resort to stealing cadavers to further his studies? I would think folks would be waiting in line to donate their corpses to Dr. Harbor's work after such an otherworldly discovery that has totally redefined life/mankind. Also, I'd think the government would help fund this man's quest to find definitive proof of what's on the other side, at the very least in an attempt to head off (or justify) all the suicides. There are other absurd happenings, but I think I've spent enough time on this dreadful film.
Redford's acting brings a little life to Discovery; however, everything else sinks it to bottom-barrel status. I've "discovered" this film is nothing more than a B-rated romance with Sundance-drenched syfy thriller lipstick on. And you know that saying about pigs and lipstick?
To find out, Dr. Harbor sets up a Flatliners (1990)-style lab in an old, abandoned mansion reminiscent of any mental hospital of yesteryear. But then Harbor's oldest (Prodigal) son shows up to stop his father from "playing God" along with a mystery girl. And so now we have family drama, romance, and a syfy/thriller rolled into one, right? Well, yes, and no. Let me explain…
The Discovery starts out as more than just promising with Redford doing what first rate actors do, and without really doing much. However, what promises to be a more in-depth take on the dark, but thought-provoking plot of Flatliners from nearly three decades ago, soon takes a backseat to a contrived love story between Dr. Harbor's son and the mystery lady.
Sorry, but the love story can't carry The Discovery on its own. For one thing, the son, Will (Jason Segel) and the mystery woman, Isla (Rooney Mara) have zero chemistry and believability. A vacuum cleaner and a 1960s toaster oven could get together as replacements for Mara and Segel's scenes and there'd be more sparks. The half-baked script doesn't help matters either. Such a shame writers felt this relationship needed to be center stage at the cost of the afterlife syfy/thriller stuff. I really wanted to see what unique concepts they'd come up with for explaining the afterlife.
Well, those answers do come, sort of... But by the time the plot gets to that point, any enthusiasm the viewer has, has been killed by the utter boredom that transpires up to that point. There's also a big plot twist that isn't that big and combined with the revelation of what goes on in the afterlife, they both amount to one big snoozefest. This mess of a film just might cause folks to contemplate suicide in real life.
I also have problems with the plausibility of some things that go on in the film. For instance, Dr. Harbor has made arguably the greatest discovery in human history, and yet he has to resort to stealing cadavers to further his studies? I would think folks would be waiting in line to donate their corpses to Dr. Harbor's work after such an otherworldly discovery that has totally redefined life/mankind. Also, I'd think the government would help fund this man's quest to find definitive proof of what's on the other side, at the very least in an attempt to head off (or justify) all the suicides. There are other absurd happenings, but I think I've spent enough time on this dreadful film.
Redford's acting brings a little life to Discovery; however, everything else sinks it to bottom-barrel status. I've "discovered" this film is nothing more than a B-rated romance with Sundance-drenched syfy thriller lipstick on. And you know that saying about pigs and lipstick?
When I began watching this movie I was very excited, I imagined all the
directions they could take it. Without ruining anything, the plot is
another plane of existence after death was discovered. People suddenly
assumed it would be a better place than their current situation.
About 4.5 million people killed themselves because of this. They clearly stated that they did not know what this plane of existence was.I was thinking that maybe the afterlife was hell or some unimaginable nightmare. This would have been extremely interesting. Spoiler: It wasn't
They decided to take it in the lamest way they could. There was a big reveal in the last 40 minutes which completely ruins the tension and mystery.
There is some comedy in the film but the biggest laugh I got was the exposition given by one of the main characters. In the last 10 minutes they try to tie everything up in a neat bow almost as if they ran out of money or foresight shooting the film. It comes absolutely out of nowhere. There is no explanation nor is there any kind of resolution other than an implication that the main character finally finished what he needed to do.
Despite these issues, It's a movie worth watching. Robert Redford, Jason Segel, and Jesse Plemons absolutely kill their roles. Rooney Mara was totally miscast as Isla. At first she seemed great but towards the end I was frustrated in the way she played it. It was likely not her fault but the directors.
About 4.5 million people killed themselves because of this. They clearly stated that they did not know what this plane of existence was.I was thinking that maybe the afterlife was hell or some unimaginable nightmare. This would have been extremely interesting. Spoiler: It wasn't
They decided to take it in the lamest way they could. There was a big reveal in the last 40 minutes which completely ruins the tension and mystery.
There is some comedy in the film but the biggest laugh I got was the exposition given by one of the main characters. In the last 10 minutes they try to tie everything up in a neat bow almost as if they ran out of money or foresight shooting the film. It comes absolutely out of nowhere. There is no explanation nor is there any kind of resolution other than an implication that the main character finally finished what he needed to do.
Despite these issues, It's a movie worth watching. Robert Redford, Jason Segel, and Jesse Plemons absolutely kill their roles. Rooney Mara was totally miscast as Isla. At first she seemed great but towards the end I was frustrated in the way she played it. It was likely not her fault but the directors.
The Discovery is a slow burning but frustrating film. Deep down it
really is a convoluted love story that borrows a little from sci-films
such as Looper or Source Code.
Set in the not too distant future, Dr Thomas Harbor (Robert Redford) has discovered proof of the afterlife. When you die, your soul goes to another plane, wherever that is. This knowledge has led to a surge in suicides as people unhappy with their present life wish to move on elsewhere. The government actually keeps a running total of the suicides which is now over 4 million worldwide.
Dr Harbor's son, Will (Jason Segel) has hopped on to a ferry visiting his father's secluded estate, which is almost a cult like retreat. Dr Harbor is conducting further experiments but also guides people who in the past tried to kill themselves. Will's other brother Toby assists his father but it seems this is Will's first visit in a while. Ironically it was Will's childhood incident that actually lead to his father to research the afterlife.
On the ferry, Will meets a young woman named Isla (Rooney Mara). Isla looks familiar to him, but she icily puts him down with some wisecracks. Isla has her own reasons to visit the island, but realising who Will's father is, she spends more time with Will and helping in his father's research.
Redford plays an ambivalent scientist, shocked that his discovery has led to an upsurge in suicides, yet also at times playing like a cult leader, wanting people to open up their emotions. He is nearing a breakthrough as to where exactly the souls of the departed might be going to.
The central roles in the film belong to Segel and Mara. Although Will seems to be appalled by his father's discovery he goes on to play detective as to what his father's secret machine has actually recorded after death.
This is a low budget film, it does not overplay its sci-fi origins with elaborate special effects.
Set in the not too distant future, Dr Thomas Harbor (Robert Redford) has discovered proof of the afterlife. When you die, your soul goes to another plane, wherever that is. This knowledge has led to a surge in suicides as people unhappy with their present life wish to move on elsewhere. The government actually keeps a running total of the suicides which is now over 4 million worldwide.
Dr Harbor's son, Will (Jason Segel) has hopped on to a ferry visiting his father's secluded estate, which is almost a cult like retreat. Dr Harbor is conducting further experiments but also guides people who in the past tried to kill themselves. Will's other brother Toby assists his father but it seems this is Will's first visit in a while. Ironically it was Will's childhood incident that actually lead to his father to research the afterlife.
On the ferry, Will meets a young woman named Isla (Rooney Mara). Isla looks familiar to him, but she icily puts him down with some wisecracks. Isla has her own reasons to visit the island, but realising who Will's father is, she spends more time with Will and helping in his father's research.
Redford plays an ambivalent scientist, shocked that his discovery has led to an upsurge in suicides, yet also at times playing like a cult leader, wanting people to open up their emotions. He is nearing a breakthrough as to where exactly the souls of the departed might be going to.
The central roles in the film belong to Segel and Mara. Although Will seems to be appalled by his father's discovery he goes on to play detective as to what his father's secret machine has actually recorded after death.
This is a low budget film, it does not overplay its sci-fi origins with elaborate special effects.
Title: Watch The Discovery Full Movie
Rating: 10 out of 10 based on 97,865 ratings. 97,865 user reviews.
Rating: 10 out of 10 based on 97,865 ratings. 97,865 user reviews.
