When I saw the preview for I Origins in the theater, I had no desire to see it. It gave me that creepy, unintentionally and vaguely pedophillic vibe of Birth, which I never saw and stars Nicole Kidman. Also other than in Boardwalk Empire, Michael Pitt does nothing for me.
Since then, I’ve become a huge Brit Marling fan in order of preference in the following movies: The East, Sound of My Voice and Another Earth, which Mike Cahill, the director of I Origins, also directed. Despite my earlier misgivings, I decided to see I Origins. Big mistake! Note to self: unless Brit Marling is involved explicitly as a writer or stars in the film, I should skip it.
I Origins’ story was painfully predictable-particularly everything leading up to and including a pivotal turning point scene. It uses people’s country of origin as a substitute for character and plot development if you are not American. The themes of science and spirituality were unevenly and superficially depicted with elements of magical realism that are introduced early in the film, but are never alluded to or referenced again. The depiction of the main character’s scientism acts as if he is the first person to believe that God and science are exclusive. The depiction acts as if a real renown scientist would live in a vacuum and be ignorant of those who preceded him instead of placing him in a historical continuum of scientists with varying views on the relationship between science and God: from no relationship to an opposing relationship to a complementary relationship to an indifferent relationship.
I wonder if I Origins would have been better if Steven Yeun, who is famous as Glen in The Walking Dead, was cast as the main character as Michael Pitt. Pitt’s acting was plodding and self-conscious. The final scene was unintentionally creepier because Pitt was in the role, and Yeun has a natural likability and humanity that the inherently cold and muted Pitt can never compete with. Pitt’s portrayal of a scientist was laughable and excruciating to watch though perhaps the director, writer and wardrobe consultant should carry a greater portion of the blame-eyeglasses, check, bow tie, check, white lab coat, check.
I Origins felt more like the late works of M. Night Shyamalan-proud of its plot twists, than the complex, emotional masterpieces that I expect from Brit Marling. Next time I’ll read the fine print before diving into any film that she is involved in. Perhaps if she was a cowriter, I Origins plot twist would have had a worthier surroundings to show case its cleverness.