Review of Upstream Color (2013) by Akash S — 08 Mar 2014

'Upstream Color' is the second movie from the ingenious Shane Carruth (of 'Primer'). He takes care of each of his movies like they were his babies - writing, production, direction, cinematography, composing, editing, and starring in them as well - I mean, how versatile and multi-talented can a person be? Though it took almost 10 years for his second movie to come out ('A Topiary' was supposed to be done in between), it's completely worth it.

The concept of the movie is quite original and unique. Though the imagery is quite Terrence Malick inspired, Carruth's non-linear storytelling style and the emotional yet subtle performances draw you into a remote futuristic world where the emotional trauma experienced, by a certain crime's victims, is quite different from what you could ever imagine. It's about two people whose behaviours and lives get altered due to a complex parasite, and are drawn towards each other at a metaphysical level.

The first 25 minutes of the movie, where the whole crime is shown in detail, is quite absorbing, and holds you in a hypnotic trance. The whole atmosphere may start to feel a little monotonous after that, but the unique situations, the stunning camera-work, the fast-paced editing, the commendable performances and the hauntingly beautiful background score keeps you transfixed till the very end. The story is mainly about personal loss, pain, human connection, and overcoming obstacles. Other than the fragmented narrative, the unexpected conclusion it arrives upon is quite unusual and thought-provoking.

The movie is certainly not for everyone; the themes and concepts explored may just go over many heads, and the non-linear narrative may seem irritating to many. But for those who understand the subtleties and beauty of these themes, the movie is pure heroin - a visual and intellectual paradise. It's the kind of movie which is bound to split audiences into two distinct categories.