Review of Upstream Color (2013) by Jason K — 20 Apr 2013

Shane Carruth's follow-up to the irresistibly enigmatic Primer is a stunningly beautiful piece of film. Impressionistic in nature, Upstream Color is an intimate tale of broken people experienced through the eyes of a dazzling storyteller. Carruth not only doubles down on the complex science fiction elements that helped garner him a rabid fan base, but he expands his horizons to tackle the alienation of identity.

In regards to the narrative structure, unconventional editing, & free roaming camera work, I would not be surprised to find out that Carruth was heavily influenced by the work of director Terrence Malick. Yet what I find so impressive is that Carruth manages something that I believe few filmmakers are capable of pulling off: he apes these artistic touches while still creating a film that feels wholly fresh and completely original.

It is Terrence Malick by way of Philip K. Dick. But by the time you walk out of the theater you know you experienced something entirely Carruth. Even if you don't quite know what that means yet. To leave such an impression on the mind is quite an achievement for a director who has only two films under his belt.

Upstream Color is deliberately obtuse but doesn't feel inaccessible. It's expertly technical but oddly enough an incredibly emotional experience. It is quite simply a lot of things it shouldn't be, but somehow just is. And that...at least for me...is a beautiful thing.