Review of The Future (2011) by James F — 10 Mar 2013

Written and directed by Miranda July (Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005)), this was her second film and it was based upon a performance piece that July had staged in New York in 2007, she settled on this to be her next film.

It's a disappointment compared to her debut, and it falls into the trap of difficult second film syndrome. It drags quite a bit and there's no fireworks to move the film along. Sophie (July) and Jason (Hamish Linklater) are a couple in their mid 30's, they've been together for a while now, and their relationship is on the rocks, and they're uncertain what to do next.

Then, they decide to adopt an injured cat called Paw Paw, who also narrates the film from a cage commenting on life (voiced by July). As adopting a cat is a big responsibility, Sophie and Jason have to prepare themselves for this, as it's a big responsibility.

As they will have to wait 30 days for clearence to get Paw Paw, Sophie and Jason venture out into the world, to enjoy their last month of freedom before they truly commit to having a cat as a pet. It's a very weird film, with moments of our two leads trying to stop time, and a weird performance piece in a giant T-shirt.

It's just too slow and too surreal to be engaging enough, which is a shame, as it's a good idea for a film, but it needed something to move it along.