The Future DVD

Studio: Lionsgate

Dec 20, 2011 Web Exclusive By John Everhart

She's often accused of being pretentious, cloying, and pejoratively referred to as the cinematic equivalent of "twee," but Miranda July, as polarizing as she may be, must be commended for taking risks. The Future, her second film, begins not unlike July's debut, Me and You and Everyone We Know. It features the director starring as the quirky, emotionally stunted Sophie, who works as a dance instructor for children, and her boyfriend Jason, who also is seemingly caught in a developmental moratorium, played by Hamish Linklater. It initially parallels the annoyingly stilted performances of Me and You, as Sophie and Jason swap lines as if they're rehearsing for a play.

But something radically changes when they decide to adopt the wounded cat Paw Paw from a local shelter. They become increasingly aware of their own age and mortality, quit their jobs, and the film rapidly goes down the rabbit hole via some brilliantly hallucinogenic sequences. Indeed, there's a time stoppage motif that recalls Donnie Darko, and a surreal dance sequence featuring July set to Beach House's "Master of None" that brings to mind the miasmatic fever dreams of David Lynch's Inland Empire. The abandoned Paw Paw narrates sequences in July's voice with raw nerve contrition and clarity, essentially articulating the plight of the beleaguered couple and their fear of commitment and children.

July in particular dazzles throughout, imbuing Sophie with both childlike wonderment and resigned dignity. Me and You and Everyone We Know fell flat because the characters' yearning was too often obfuscated by paralyzing fear, but The Future succeeds simply because July's transcended that façade, revealing teasing glimpses at the frayed vulnerabilities of her flawed yet fascinating characters.

Special features on the DVD edition are fairly straight-forward, including obligatory audio commentary, a trailer, a deleted scene, and behind-the-scenes featurette. Some are execrable, while others illuminate. But it's the movie itself that's the main impetus for purchase, as it holds up remarkably well to repeated exposure. It unfurls new emotional layers with each view, and certainly ranks among 2011's finest films. (thefuturethefuture.com)

Author rating: 8/10

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