Review of Upstream Color (2013) by Jason S — 04 Oct 2013

Writer/Directors/Producer/Leading Mean Carruth's intentions here are very interesting, and even often quite beautiful. Sadly, as daring and provocative as he is, he struggles to present them meaningfully.

Its fine to be existential and thought-provoking in a film, if you have a premise worth backing it up with. But the lack of unity within the narrative prevents the viewer from really grasping the meaty ideas of shared consciousness, which renders Upstream Color's ideas and themes all over the place.

Perhaps at least Upstream Color's fragmented relationship drama elements would have worked better if Terrence Malick hadn't done a better job of it earlier in 2013. Unfortunately, the result here is overwrought with far too much ambiguity and lack of real depth beyond the esoteric façade.