Review of Upstream Color (2013) by Dawdlingpoet — 27 Nov 2021

This is very much an arty sci-fi film, which seems so sort of bizarre and random/surreal at first that its hard to fully understand or get your head around. I liked it more after a while, with the two main characters speaking more and the use of light and airy instrumental/classical music adding to a sense (or atmosphere) of floatiness, that I liked. It's clear this is a film with a fair bit of symbolism and many sub-plots present but I'm not sure you have to entirely follow it all, to enjoy it. I would say the first three quarters of an hour were quite weird and not too re-assuring but as I say, it did end up appealing to me and I felt intrigued to see what more might come to light, to try and help explain some of the context to the viewer as time moved on. Suffice to say, this isn't a light and easy/simple watch. I liked that it's set in a pretty normal domestic setting, for the most part. I found myself thinking back to Okja, with the link between the pigs in this film and the humans. I'm not sure it's entirely about using animals for human food/greed though. I believe it's more to do with inter connectedness. This obviously won't be a film that will suit everyone, it features shaky camerawork and it is quite hard to fully follow, certainly on a first viewing but if your ok with the thought of multiple viewings and thinking through what was seen and how it different elements may link to others - if your a fan of films by the likes of Terrence Malick perhaps, then you may enjoy this on one level, yes. At a guess, I'd say this film is about fragility, vulnerability possibly and fate, plus the circle of life and death. It focusses on snapshots of elements of moments in time. I suppose its quite a sensory film, about the importance of touch (not in a sexual way, I hasten to add). This is certainly one of the most surreal films I've seen in recent years...and the final shot - that has to be symbolic!. I'd also like to point out that there is really quite little in the way of dialogue. I suppose its more about body language.

I don't think I'd especially recommend this film to any and everyone overall, as its fairly impenetrable on first watch but it's not an awful film, its intriguing in some ways...I feel it is a thoughtful film but it certainly isn't a film for everyone. If it sounds of interest to you, then yes, give it a go, otherwise perhaps not.