Every once in a while, a movie is made that seems plucked from another era. This is the case with Reminiscence, writer/director Lisa Joy's new film noir pretending to be an apocalyptic tale. But unlike most of those anachronisms, Reminiscence finds its place as equally in the present as the past.
Nick Bannister (Hugh Jackman) makes his living walking through other people's pasts. Using a sophisticated piece of technology, he can help them relive cherished moments or recover lost items and do it as often as they like. But when new client Mae (Rebecca Ferguson) becomes more than just a customer, Nick's life changes. So when Mae vanishes, Nick begins to immerse himself in his own past as well as those of others she encountered in a desperate attempt to solve the mystery of her disappearance. He discovers that she was never who she said she was, and he apparently misinterpreted the way she felt about him. Determined to bring closure to the case, Nick continues the search regardless of how the conclusion affects him.
Joy has created something that audiences don't encounter very often; an original story wrapped around the core of classic noir films - a detective, a dame, and a disappearance. But the concept is so well-written that even the familiar moments are fresh. Although Jackman's voice-overs filling in the blanks like a Humphrey Bogart movie start out seeming a bit out of place, as the tale progresses, it makes perfect sense. Joy takes her exceptional script and transforms it into an equally exceptional film. Each character plays their part as the tale, and memories, unfold. While they often seem to have stepped from the 1950's mysteries, the direction is so precise that everything clicks into place. Without giving anything away, Cliff Curtis should get special recognition for his portrayal of heavy Cyrus Boothe.
The scenes of flooded Florida and Louisiana are well-conceived, both in long shots and close-ups of run-down city streets. Interior shots are a blend of future/present and nostalgia. Given the film's theme, this is very likely intentional, and if not, it still works perfectly. The costumes follow along the same lines, keeping everything tidy and the audience in the immersive story. Wrapping everything together is a soundtrack that lives in the background yet keeps the film paced perfectly.
Reminiscence is a film that appeals to a broad spectrum of audiences - part science-fiction, yet primarily modern noir with the look and feel of a classic. Most importantly, it is a well-written, engaging, and original concept that will remain in memory for a very long time.