Review of Beyond the Black Rainbow (2010) by Simon G — 28 Jan 2013

More of an aural-visual-sensory experience than anything else, Beyond the Black Rainbow, embodies the likes of Kubrick, Cronenberg and Lynch while also paying homage to the sci-fi b-movies of the 80's (the film itself is set in 1983). From the very first frame we're treated to slow deliberate visuals which immediately set a stylish tone. It plays its cards pretty close to its chest and the ambiguous dialogue doesn't really give anything away either. The score is all pulsing synths and unnerving electronic bleeps adding to the uneasy tone.

However, Black Rainbow's yearning for cult classic status misses the mark, as the film begins to drown in the oppressive of its own mood. We're given a reprieve in the last 20 minutes or so but by this time the film has already started to overstay its welcome. Could have done to be about 25 minutes shorter. Panos Cosmatos is definitely a director to watch our for though and its good to see a Canadian filmmaker injecting some much needed originality back into the sci-fi genre.