The Scientist (2010) Reviews

• Ho Hum

  JoeSkoal2011-02-04

  I stayed with the movie waiting for a glimpse of real to life theory. I was under the impression , based on the beginning of the movie, that this would bring to life theories that Einstein had with the after life. This movie missed it completely making it a total let down of the magic of SciFi movies. I had to keep adjusting the volume, this always makes me want to slap whoever is in charge of the sound track. You cant hear whispers and the music was way over the top in dB. I as well, walk out of theater when that happens and always get a refund. Very difficult to understand exactly what was happening when he turns on the "infinite-energy machine" Why is it called an infinite-energy machine in the review? This was not a movie about green energy but quantum physics... more confusion. Wait, there is more..."a higher level of consciousness?" Change the title to "Fruit Salad Science"

• A Yawner

  dirkbendwater2011-03-26

  If you love beautifully slow paced movies with irregularly modulated sound, fairly good acting and an intensity that will rivet your head to a pillow, then this is the movie for you. Here we have your typical brilliant university scientist whom apparently lost his wife and child. He becomes neurotically reclusive and anti-social, swallowing more pain pills than House. He limps around with a cane (like House), for reasons unknown and peeks out the window a lot. He is building some kind of contraption, whose purpose is only vaguely hinted at. He never talks much but when he does, he swears and is angry…like at his friends and neighbors. He hasn't been to work for years and can't handle his liquor. His contraption breaks down. So he orders some parts. The parts, a Foo-foo valve and some Kenitson bits I think, are then installed in this…whatever it is. A wheel with a light turns around and it sucks all the power out of his house. The lights get real bright then they dramatically go out. New neighbors move in. He's some kind of chauvinistic, business-like, metro yuppie (at first) and she....well, she's kinda homely, I guess. She seems drawn to him, for reasons unknown. She comes by to say hi in one visit and the next time, to invite him to a housewarming party. He basically keeps tells her to GTFO. She is not happy with metro-yuppie man. He turns on his thingamajig and that's where things get a bit convoluted and fuzzy. Stuff happens to him. I'm not really sure what though. The movie has nice background music. If you like vague plots that make you fill in the blanks, see it.

• Way too preachy

  jdgin2010-06-08

  This had the potential to be a really good and thought-provoking indie film and then they had to go ruin it by beating everyone over the head with the pro-life message at the end. It was very disingenuous to build up the tension in the story and in the characters only to solve everything with a "don't have an abortion, babies are awesome" message at the end. That made the movie instantaneously preachy and left me, at least, feeling very cheated. I went in expecting a story and movie that was somewhat of a mix of "white noise" and "solaris" and instead got a really long commercial against abortions. other than the one scene that singularly destroyed the whole movie, the scientist is well acted and shot -- if you count out the main character's eye twitch, which was way overused.

• 2 out of 10

  g-jordan842010-03-08

  I saw "The Scientist" at the sneak preview on March 2nd. The only thing I found enjoyable about the film was the fact that so many people I am connected with had something to do with it. The ONLY actor whose performance actually made an impression on me was that of Adam LeFevre. I thought the plot moved along entirely too slow, not to mention there were several points at which the sound was PAINFULLY loud. I left the theater feeling offended, not only by the abuse to my eardrums, but also by the fact that the main character decided to influence his neighbor about her reproductive choices. It was obvious that she didn't really want to have an abortion in the first place, but it was his arrogance in that regard that I found so offensive. It also didn't seem as though the writers actually did any research as far as what kind of process and treatment by the clinic a woman experiences when seeking an abortion. It's a sign of ongoing dysfunction that the couple "connected" once they decided to keep the baby. It made me unsure if he was being sincere or just faking it to get her to do what he wanted. I left wondering if this was just anti-choice propaganda disguised as a sci-fi film. And I don't think that is what it was supposed to be. It needed to focus more on the scientist himself, his work, and his family rather than the neighbors'. I am happy for all my friends who got to be in it, but otherwise utterly disappointed.

• Borrrrring

  boltadave2011-03-30

  Cant believe how boring this film is after reading some of the other reviews, I honestly feel like I wasted an hour and a half of my life waiting for something to happen in this movie. Long silences every 2-3 minutes, at least there is plenty opportunities to make a cuppa. To enjoy this film at its best, take some matches to keep your eyes open. The acting was good, The story was average There is nothing more I can say or write about this movie but I have to write at least 10 lines before this can be submitted. Which is a real shame as I am sure that if watched a lot of people will agree that it was a terrible film, in fact if this was a book it would be about 10 pages long...