Review of Coherence (2014) by Filipeneto — 30 Mar 2020

A regular independent film, which seems to have neglected the most technical aspects.

Low-budget independent films are boxes of surprises. You never know if they are excellent or crap. This film seemed like a good bet, with a plot based on a group of friends who get together for dinner during the passage of a comet that, in a somewhat mysterious way, causes a series of problems such as the Internet and electricity failing, broken cell phones and , stranger still, a juxtaposition of parallel realities.

I thought it would be more of a psychological horror film, and I believe there are scenes where some inroads are made in this field, but the suspense and the clever mystery created end up standing out. However, the characters are poor and very cliché, and the whole story becomes so strange that it quickly loses credibility. At one point, it all sounds so surreal that it doesn't really matter what really happened there. Another annoying thing was having so many characters talking on top of each other during the film. If it happens on time it makes things more authentic, but if it is always happening it is too much. None of the actors are known, the bet was on unknown names, but with experience in indie films and sporadic participation in TV series (Emily Baldoni, Maury Sterling, Nicholas Brendon etc.).

The film uses sound effects and music quite well to increase suspense and become more tense. Being a low budget film it is not surprising that there is only one filming location and that it is a relatively poor film. What is more difficult to forgive is the rather amateur work of filming, with most scenes so shaky that it seems that the cameraman was nervous. Another thing that is not easily forgiven is the deficient editing and post-production work. These are details that may seem of less relevance but that can lose the chances of a serious film career.