Review of I Origins (2014) by Tyler H — 04 Aug 2014

Great ideas, or concepts, most often lead to great films. It's been the case with many movies - whether it be most of Nolan's filmography ("Memento" and "Inception" singled out here), "The Qatsi Trilogy," or, hell, even 2012's "Chronicle", to only name a minuscule few.

So, too, goes the case of Mike Cahill's "I Origins." Despite what the critics are saying, "I Origins" might just be the surprise of the year. While, yeah, it's got a few predictable twists, and, yeah, it goes after ideas already previously explored, Cahill manages to handle the intense ambition of the film well enough and never once does his reach exceed his grasp.

The topic of science and religion, or spirituality in this case, is one that pops its head into many movies - often enough for people to get sick of it. This is most likely the predominant reason behind the poor critical ratings for this film - people are growing tired of the subject matter.

It's the only rationale I can think of because this certainly isn't a poorly made picture, nor is it exhausting in its theories. This is a movie that takes the much asked question of whether science's logic and facts can coexist with spirituality's heart, or faith.

It begins by asking, "What would you do if something scientific challenged your spiritual beliefs?" and turns it on its head later with, "What would you do if something truly spiritual challenged your scientific facts?" It asks both these questions with precision, each half of the film devoted to each inquiry, and becomes a movie that's both bold and incredibly involving with its ideas.

Even if you don't agree with how it all turns out, you'll still be profoundly moved. This movie is what I like to call, with simple terminology, a "heavy thinker" - a picture that leaves you completely speechless, thinking, rather than talking to your friends, while the credits roll up the screen.

It's a movie you would want to watch with both Christopher Hitchens and the Dalai Lama, just to hear their differing (or possibly identical?) viewpoints afterwards. It's bashful with its extravagance, throwing optimism, pessimism, science, God, and more into a boiling cauldron.

Most of all, it's exhilarating.