Directed by:
Omar NaimScreenplay:
Omar NaimCinematography:
Tak FujimotoComposer:
Brian TylerCast:
Robin Williams, Mira Sorvino, James Caviezel, Mimi Kuzyk, Stephanie Romanov, Genevieve Buechner, Brendan Fletcher, Joely Collins, Blu Mankuma (more)Plots(1)
Set in the future, THE FINAL CUT offers a vision of a world where soon-to-be parents agree to let doctors surgically implant memory chips into the brains of their unborn children. These memory chips are like video cameras with infinite tape stock that comprehensively record the lives of their hosts through the hosts' own eyes--for better or for worse. When a host dies, a "cutter"--played here by an eerily introspective Robin Williams--receives the memory chip footage from the deceased person's family in order to edit the memories for a palatable funereal screening, called a "rememory." But are memories public or private? Is it fair for a cutter to decide what comprises a host's life story? And do people behave differently knowing that someone will view their lives, even their most intimate and discreet moments, as a short film? (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (3)
The reservations of some people regarding the unutilized potential of the film have, of course, a rational core; however, my low rating stems from the very essence of the screenplay. The concept is handled in a nonsensical way. In real life, the technology described in the film would not function like this. Its usage would be completely different, involving secret services, the military, and the underworld. I think this invention would definitely fall into the category of forbidden technologies. At first glance, it is evident how huge the risks it brings to society and individuals are, and it would certainly be officially banned. Implanting such a thing in one's child is as reasonable as implanting a dangerous explosive - probably even more dangerous. The screenplay simply does not hold up. Overall impression: 40%.
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A film with a lot of great ideas, a really great performance by Robin Williams and great music by Brian Tyler. It is spoiled only by minor blemishes, but there are quite a few of them (for example, that nobody checks the cutters if they (don't) have an implant), and that’s why four stars are just right. I couldn't give less for that extremely emotional look into my own past.
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This is such a pity because Omar Naim had an incredibly good concept that I enjoyed from the beginning. But then it all got tangled up and an initially interesting concept turned into a completely uninteresting film, not even saved by Robin Williams, who once again plays a great dramatic role. The ending is simply bad and as a result, the film is about nothing.
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