Review of The Congress (2013) by Mark S — 17 Sep 2016

One of the most thoughtful, creative films ever. It doesn't hand you a detailed explanation of everything that transpires; rather, it crafts an amazing, creepy, exciting, scary world and then allows you to live in it, and sometimes you have to find your own meanings. Incredibly well acted, by everyone involved. And the eeriness of Robin Wright playing herself (yet not herself, of course), and bringing such great depth to the character adds enormously to the film.

I think the pace of the film may have turned some people off who might otherwise have appreciated it. It's *not* an action-adventure kind of science fiction (SF). It's an inventive and contemplative kind of SF. In literary SF you'd be tempted to call it "idea SF", except the characters are so well drawn and well acted here that it goes well beyond that. If you decide to try the film, drop all expectations and just go with it. Let it wash over you and go live in it for a while. It's a pleasantly mind-bending experience if you let it be.