The battle between science and spirituality has always been a touchy yet fascinating subject, one which has appeared in many stories throughout the years. Can you be true to science and faith at the same time? Writer/director Mike Cahill presents us with I ORIGINS, a film that posits, yes, you can.
Dr. Ian Gray (Michael Pitt) has a love for two things: molecular biology, and eyes. Everyone has their own specific eye biometrics, which allows for an even better identification system than thumbprints. Ian is fascinated by this idea, and takes photographs of the eyes of any person who lets him. This obsession fuels his latest experiment on the evolution of the eye, which he hopes will prove wrong the argument that eyes are proof of an intelligent creator... for Ian is a scientist, and does not believe in God or fate or any of that mumbo jumbo.
Adversely, a strange encounter at a party leaves Ian attracted to free-spirited, new age junkie, Sofi (Astrid Berges-Frisbey), who believes in just that sort of mumbo jumbo: she says they are spiritually connected, even in past lives. These two polar opposites have a whirlwind romance, until Sofi's life is tragically cut short by an accident.
Seven years later, Ian begins to second guess himself when a new piece of evidence appears to him: evidence that suggests that Sofi may have reincarnated in India. This piece of evidence also happens to revolve around the unique nature of the eye, which draws Ian's attention all the more as the film takes you on a twisted ride through this battle between science and faith. And the story does not necessarily end with one particular winner... in fact, it leaves them hand in hand.
This is not your average sci-fi movie -- it veers clear of your usual alien- or robot-heavy plot lines, instead dealing out a premise that actually has a basis in today's scientific research. And unlike the trailer makes it out to be, this is not just an emo romance story (though it does have its emo moments): instead, the second half of the film focuses on Ian's trip to self-discovery.
The cast really works well together in this film: Pitt does a superb job, as does Brit Marling, who plays Ian's lab-partner-turned-wife; and Berges-Frisbey is the perfect mix between delightful and infuriating. And though the characters sometimes skip steps to keep the plot moving forward, overall the concept is well-rounded and holds your attention. Cahill, who previously gave us ANOTHER EARTH, is really showing his strength with sci-fi.
I ORIGINS is now playing at the Midtown Cinema. I recommend checking this one out.
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