76 reviews
Making a believable science fiction film is hard. Making a believable science fiction film on a low-budget is nearly impossible. Well at least it used to be until director Jennifer Phang came along and proved otherwise in her Sundance festival hit, Advantageous. Phang was able to create a futuristic world with minimum visual effects by altering mundane human perception. There are three important techniques she uses to achieve this effect.
The first is the deceleration of time for background objects while objects in the foreground continue to move at a regular speed. This mixture of various speeds becomes a motif for understanding the futuristic world she presents to the audience.
The second technique is the compression of space achieved by using telephoto and zoom lenses. The human eye perceives depth of field in three dimensions. Objects farther away are small and objects closer to us are big. This is normally replicated with a dolly shot in films where the camera physically tracks forwards or backwards. However, in Advantageous, the zoom lens is used to compress the space in front of us. The camera stays still and we simply get closer to the subject. This causes a flattening of space to the point our eyes are no longer able to perceive the distance between the foreground objects and background objects.
The third technique Phang uses to create a believable science fiction world is silence. Yes I talk about silence a lot, but it does wonders. Our ears are not used to hearing complete and utter silence. In every moment, even at the quietest moments, we are subjected to some level of constant ambient noise. Whether it's coming from the Air Conditioner, the Fridge, the Wind, there's always something preventing us from experiencing complete silence. However, when we do finally get the chance and we see a character on a big screen screaming and crying in complete silence, our ears are hit with a new level of sensory experience. The new sensory experience is foreign to our ears and forces the audience to take the character he or she is watching out of his assumption of the character's world. This means, the audience finally recognizes that the character he or she is watching does not have the same sensory understanding of the world as he or she does.
These three techniques were vital in Phang's ability to successfully create a sophisticated and at the same time genuine science fiction world on a low-budget.
The first is the deceleration of time for background objects while objects in the foreground continue to move at a regular speed. This mixture of various speeds becomes a motif for understanding the futuristic world she presents to the audience.
The second technique is the compression of space achieved by using telephoto and zoom lenses. The human eye perceives depth of field in three dimensions. Objects farther away are small and objects closer to us are big. This is normally replicated with a dolly shot in films where the camera physically tracks forwards or backwards. However, in Advantageous, the zoom lens is used to compress the space in front of us. The camera stays still and we simply get closer to the subject. This causes a flattening of space to the point our eyes are no longer able to perceive the distance between the foreground objects and background objects.
The third technique Phang uses to create a believable science fiction world is silence. Yes I talk about silence a lot, but it does wonders. Our ears are not used to hearing complete and utter silence. In every moment, even at the quietest moments, we are subjected to some level of constant ambient noise. Whether it's coming from the Air Conditioner, the Fridge, the Wind, there's always something preventing us from experiencing complete silence. However, when we do finally get the chance and we see a character on a big screen screaming and crying in complete silence, our ears are hit with a new level of sensory experience. The new sensory experience is foreign to our ears and forces the audience to take the character he or she is watching out of his assumption of the character's world. This means, the audience finally recognizes that the character he or she is watching does not have the same sensory understanding of the world as he or she does.
These three techniques were vital in Phang's ability to successfully create a sophisticated and at the same time genuine science fiction world on a low-budget.
The plot: In a dystopian future, an Asian woman approaching middle age is fired from her job at a creepy multinational corporation because they want a younger, more racially ambiguous spokesperson. How far will she go to regain her job?
The premise is definitely interesting, and there were parts of the film that I really liked. However, the story continually came back to tedious metaphysical themes that bored me. In the end, I realized that the film was about the metaphysical themes, and this left me feeling a bit unfulfilled. I suppose it was even more so about cultural criticism, especially a feminist critique of how society treats female aging and beauty. But it kept coming back again and again to these questions of "why am I here", "what is my purpose", and "is there something insubstantial, such as love, that science can't replicate in a lab"?
Kim plays a woman who must make a life-changing choice. Unemployment is skyrocketing, men are pressuring women to leave the workforce, and older workers are seen as hopelessly out-of-touch with the modern market. In fact, humans themselves are being rapidly replaced, and the only way to secure any kind of hope for your child's future is for them to attend the most prestigious schools. The alternative seems to be child prostitution. Most of this is established in the background; if you don't pay close attention, you'll miss it. Unexplained explosions rock the sterility and eerie quiet of the world, and news reports hint at terrorist uprisings because of a hopeless, jobless populace.
So, when you lose your job, that basically means that you've lost everything. What if your employer offers to give you your job back if you'll let them control who you are? So, our protagonist becomes desperate to avoid forcing her own daughter to make these same kinds of desperate choices. What can she do but accept? The question becomes what price she has paid. As the film mulls this over, I began to lose interest. Normally, it takes very little for me to become heavily involved in a character's plight, but, in this case, I struggled. Maybe it's because I don't have kids. For a parent, maybe this would be a more harrowing tale.
There are many admirable aspects to this film, chief among them a woman-centric tale that feels genuine. In some science fiction films, the female protagonist seems to have been written as a male who then gets a gender-flip to mix things up. Or she's a sexual object for the viewers to ogle. There's nothing wrong with a bit of exploitative science fiction, but it's nice to see something with higher aspirations every once in a while. This certainly has that, but it goes so far as to seem pretentious at times.
Maybe this was simply too far outside of my demographic. On the surface, it's got a lot of themes and ideas that appeal to me, but the focus seems to be diametrically opposed to how I would have done it. Less metaphysics, more world-building. If you're interested in feminist science fiction, however, this is rare example. You should at least give it a chance if you're interested in such things. Perhaps you'll be more intrigued by the themes than I was.
The premise is definitely interesting, and there were parts of the film that I really liked. However, the story continually came back to tedious metaphysical themes that bored me. In the end, I realized that the film was about the metaphysical themes, and this left me feeling a bit unfulfilled. I suppose it was even more so about cultural criticism, especially a feminist critique of how society treats female aging and beauty. But it kept coming back again and again to these questions of "why am I here", "what is my purpose", and "is there something insubstantial, such as love, that science can't replicate in a lab"?
Kim plays a woman who must make a life-changing choice. Unemployment is skyrocketing, men are pressuring women to leave the workforce, and older workers are seen as hopelessly out-of-touch with the modern market. In fact, humans themselves are being rapidly replaced, and the only way to secure any kind of hope for your child's future is for them to attend the most prestigious schools. The alternative seems to be child prostitution. Most of this is established in the background; if you don't pay close attention, you'll miss it. Unexplained explosions rock the sterility and eerie quiet of the world, and news reports hint at terrorist uprisings because of a hopeless, jobless populace.
So, when you lose your job, that basically means that you've lost everything. What if your employer offers to give you your job back if you'll let them control who you are? So, our protagonist becomes desperate to avoid forcing her own daughter to make these same kinds of desperate choices. What can she do but accept? The question becomes what price she has paid. As the film mulls this over, I began to lose interest. Normally, it takes very little for me to become heavily involved in a character's plight, but, in this case, I struggled. Maybe it's because I don't have kids. For a parent, maybe this would be a more harrowing tale.
There are many admirable aspects to this film, chief among them a woman-centric tale that feels genuine. In some science fiction films, the female protagonist seems to have been written as a male who then gets a gender-flip to mix things up. Or she's a sexual object for the viewers to ogle. There's nothing wrong with a bit of exploitative science fiction, but it's nice to see something with higher aspirations every once in a while. This certainly has that, but it goes so far as to seem pretentious at times.
Maybe this was simply too far outside of my demographic. On the surface, it's got a lot of themes and ideas that appeal to me, but the focus seems to be diametrically opposed to how I would have done it. Less metaphysics, more world-building. If you're interested in feminist science fiction, however, this is rare example. You should at least give it a chance if you're interested in such things. Perhaps you'll be more intrigued by the themes than I was.
I can't stop thinking how realistic is this view of the future of a trickle down world, hiding behind the cloaks of computerised and anonymous social systems. Well worth watching, a social commentary wrapped up in a scifi blanket. With humanity struggling and failing to define itself.
- Bijan_Karim
- Oct 31, 2015
- Permalink
Science fiction doesn't show the future, it shows the expectations of the current society. In the 50-60's we dreamt of reaching the stars so the space-opera was born, in the 80's with the rise of computers we saw the rise of cyberpunk. In these days SF usually addresses the fear of our society that we simply can't handle the technology of the future. Not that it overtakes us but simply that we as people aren't able to oversee the options and mainly the consequences what technology will do to our society.
Advantageous takes one of these aspects where technology allows us to switch bodies. But the impact of that, the consequences to ourselves and our environment is much larger than expected.
Advantageous does a descent job adressing it, but it however fails to get any depth. With 1h30m it simply takes to few time to work out all relations and characters and tries to squeeze in too much on the side. That is a pitty because the rest of the setting, like actors/dialogues, etc are charming and interresting. As mini-series it would prosbably have worked better.
Advantageous does a descent job adressing it, but it however fails to get any depth. With 1h30m it simply takes to few time to work out all relations and characters and tries to squeeze in too much on the side. That is a pitty because the rest of the setting, like actors/dialogues, etc are charming and interresting. As mini-series it would prosbably have worked better.
Watching this film made for a beautiful and worthwhile evening. I loved the stillness it evoked, as it asked me to consider what is important in my life.
Samantha Kim, (Jules), did a wonderful job of showing all that a young girl can be: kind, humble, and entranced by the delicate joy that life can hold, while also questioning her place and position in a world that only sees what she can give - instead of what she is.
Jacqueline Kim, (Gwen), evokes the challenges facing many women today - when career and family choices have long lasting results - in a performance full of silence. The cinematography that supports the silence means that Kim's message is heard more than if it were shouted.
The cover image is almost a misnomer as it appears to import more value to the science, when this film is most definitely about the human condition. I absolutely recommend taking the time to watch, think and share.
Samantha Kim, (Jules), did a wonderful job of showing all that a young girl can be: kind, humble, and entranced by the delicate joy that life can hold, while also questioning her place and position in a world that only sees what she can give - instead of what she is.
Jacqueline Kim, (Gwen), evokes the challenges facing many women today - when career and family choices have long lasting results - in a performance full of silence. The cinematography that supports the silence means that Kim's message is heard more than if it were shouted.
The cover image is almost a misnomer as it appears to import more value to the science, when this film is most definitely about the human condition. I absolutely recommend taking the time to watch, think and share.
I can't figure out why this got such a low rating. Those of us who feel our middle class existence slipping away from us and our children will appreciate the contemporary feel. I would think any man with a wife or daughter in the working world (or any women who have a career or aspire to one) may find the film hitting a bit too close to home.
The story was well-written, the acting reasonably good, and the cityscape both attractive and well-created.
It prompts a discussion of the very nature of self: Who am I, who will I be in the future; if I have my heart surgically replaced, I am still me, no? What about my brain? What about ... everything?
The story was well-written, the acting reasonably good, and the cityscape both attractive and well-created.
It prompts a discussion of the very nature of self: Who am I, who will I be in the future; if I have my heart surgically replaced, I am still me, no? What about my brain? What about ... everything?
This movie is 100 minutes of tedious setup, one major decision by the main character, 15 minutes of dealing with the consequences of that decision, and then a non-ending. The main idea itself wasn't even original. It has been done before in far better movies and books.
And through it all, the main character wasn't even likeable because she's a homewrecker that destroyed her own family.
Save yourself 90 minutes and watch another movie.
And through it all, the main character wasn't even likeable because she's a homewrecker that destroyed her own family.
Save yourself 90 minutes and watch another movie.
Wow. I had no idea what to expect when I put this on, but it blew me completely away. I am certain that the pacing may alienate many a viewer expecting every, "good" sci-fi to be filled mainly with spectacular future-tech fighting, and maybe scratch the surface of big questions in a futuristic society.
Advantageous do approach the latter, although nuanced, and more subtle than most films in this genre do. First and foremost, Advantageous focus on what defines the parent/child-relationship through portrayals of emotions and behavior that feel real. Not overly dramatic, not "scripted" like in most movies, but like the breathing dialectics of how those mechanics do work in real life.
The stage is set in a dystopian future. There are elements of class conflict, and philosophical approaches to defining the Id and the Ego. But these are still all secondary to the parental element. I didn't feel that the topics were rushed, too complicated, pretentious or superficially presented in any way, but that might be a matter of my approach as a viewer; my focus on the movie while it ran, and my general interest in the subjects in my own life.
I also found Advantageous to be stylistically excellent. From the general designs, locations, wardrobe, make-up, CGI. The lead actors did a great job, and the directing was superbly executed. Same goes for both editing and the atmospheric soundtrack; technical elements that I find myself often annoyed at in many a modern movie.
I'd put Advantageous under the same banner as Her and Ex Machina, for comparison. Although it should be noted that the melancholic joyfulness from Her, and the enigmatic suspense from Ex Machina are both lacking completely here as Advantageous is a lot more of a subtle epic, with a focus on the humane interrelationships much more than what both those movies do. And to me, that was exactly what made Advantageous such a brilliant, unique gem, although I dearly love both Her and Ex Machina as well.
Advantageous do approach the latter, although nuanced, and more subtle than most films in this genre do. First and foremost, Advantageous focus on what defines the parent/child-relationship through portrayals of emotions and behavior that feel real. Not overly dramatic, not "scripted" like in most movies, but like the breathing dialectics of how those mechanics do work in real life.
The stage is set in a dystopian future. There are elements of class conflict, and philosophical approaches to defining the Id and the Ego. But these are still all secondary to the parental element. I didn't feel that the topics were rushed, too complicated, pretentious or superficially presented in any way, but that might be a matter of my approach as a viewer; my focus on the movie while it ran, and my general interest in the subjects in my own life.
I also found Advantageous to be stylistically excellent. From the general designs, locations, wardrobe, make-up, CGI. The lead actors did a great job, and the directing was superbly executed. Same goes for both editing and the atmospheric soundtrack; technical elements that I find myself often annoyed at in many a modern movie.
I'd put Advantageous under the same banner as Her and Ex Machina, for comparison. Although it should be noted that the melancholic joyfulness from Her, and the enigmatic suspense from Ex Machina are both lacking completely here as Advantageous is a lot more of a subtle epic, with a focus on the humane interrelationships much more than what both those movies do. And to me, that was exactly what made Advantageous such a brilliant, unique gem, although I dearly love both Her and Ex Machina as well.
I am tired and dismissive of movies that manipulate the viewer with music for what they are supposed to feel, formulaic plots and archetypal characters to appeal to as many people as possible, big actor names that don't really have to act and silly little stories that bring nothing new to the table. Well, Advantageous is the opposite of that, but in such a showy way that it also felt a bit annoying. It started with the indie badges of honor being displayed more prominently than the actors' names, it had a story that was full of meaning and intellectual richness but actors were all slow acting and depressed and everything was implied and for most of the film, if not all, it had no soundtrack. And that ending that brings no closure at all, screaming "Think it for yourself!!"
But the story is cool and there were some truly brilliant moments in it, like the homeless person one and some at the end with the mother-daughter connection that you had to think a little about to realize what they meant. Difficult to discuss the plot without spoiling it and all I can say is this: the general idea of the film is obvious after about 15 minutes, but the details are important and there is more coming, so watch the whole thing.
Bottom line: with a little bit of moderation, this could have been both an intelligent indie film and an entertaining popular one, but it felt like the authors opted hard for the first half only. Therefore it is unlikely to become either a success or a cult film. However, it has many merits and I do not regret watching it. I recommend it, but one has to be in a certain cerebral mood to enjoy it.
But the story is cool and there were some truly brilliant moments in it, like the homeless person one and some at the end with the mother-daughter connection that you had to think a little about to realize what they meant. Difficult to discuss the plot without spoiling it and all I can say is this: the general idea of the film is obvious after about 15 minutes, but the details are important and there is more coming, so watch the whole thing.
Bottom line: with a little bit of moderation, this could have been both an intelligent indie film and an entertaining popular one, but it felt like the authors opted hard for the first half only. Therefore it is unlikely to become either a success or a cult film. However, it has many merits and I do not regret watching it. I recommend it, but one has to be in a certain cerebral mood to enjoy it.
It's like handmaides tales but added sci-fi and more realistic. From a poltical view (US) it has a much more right wing view of the future even though here in 2019 - 2021 things seem to be leaning extremely left.
- thomasjones-42917
- Feb 2, 2021
- Permalink
What a pleasant surprise this film was. While trying not to get too much into detail, as not to spoil any of the intricacies of the movie, I'll say that while this is in the realm of sci-fi, the movie has much more on it's mind than merely that. It conveys as much in it's beautiful nuances and a refreshing subtlety that is sadly missing from many newer films of it's ilk. The film is also wonderfully acted across the board. So that doesn't hurt.
This mini-review was inspired by a haiku that I wrote on twitter, which I shall also include here for the sake of posterity (if for nothing else) Also in revised form as the original was sadly incorrectly in 5 7 6
Character driven
Well crafted slice of sci-fi
Deliberate pace
This mini-review was inspired by a haiku that I wrote on twitter, which I shall also include here for the sake of posterity (if for nothing else) Also in revised form as the original was sadly incorrectly in 5 7 6
Character driven
Well crafted slice of sci-fi
Deliberate pace
- movieman_kev
- Aug 11, 2015
- Permalink
- shashrvacai
- Mar 3, 2021
- Permalink
I watched half of it and had to stop. Giving some stars for what (I think) they're trying to communicate and the actors doing a fairly good job. Otherwise it's slow, not really making a compelling point about... anything really. I can appreciate subtle, more cerebral type of sci-fi but I don't think it's well done here.
I ran across Advantageous on Netflix after starting and stopping a couple of big budget movies. I will concede that I am a sucker for sci-fi, but this is more than sci-fi. It is a question about medical science and implications for humanity. It is also a question about the priorities of society and what poorly chosen ones can cost us. I can honestly say a film has not caught my attention and made me think this much in years. The strength of the film is obvious because it did not rely on elaborate special effects and action scenes to have an impact.
As one reviewer described it, the deliberate choice of everything - from color, to music, to lighting was so well thought out, it was truly watching moving artwork.
And yes, I used the word film to describe this work rather than movie. The two have a definite distinction.
As one reviewer described it, the deliberate choice of everything - from color, to music, to lighting was so well thought out, it was truly watching moving artwork.
And yes, I used the word film to describe this work rather than movie. The two have a definite distinction.
- locogringo
- Jul 2, 2015
- Permalink
Presenting a dystopia that's only a small notch away from where society already is (and probably where it's heading) makes it all the more chilling. Primarily an indictment on how capitalism has us painted into a corner, but also making commentary on feminism, ageism, technology and the nature of self, the film has some big things to say and the writing skill to pull it all off. Unfortunately, the budgetary constraints are occasionally evident in some of the effects and performances, though Jacqueline Kim is perfect in the lead. Altogether a slow burn, but very worthwhile to see science fiction being used for such intelligent musings.
- youngcollind
- Aug 5, 2021
- Permalink
- jayj-17577
- Aug 9, 2015
- Permalink
Imaginative, heart rending, and thought-provoking. The perfect antidote to the same-old same-old that Hollywood offers. A real work of art, but engrossing at the same time.
As with her last film, Half-Life, the director, Jennifer Phang (pronounced pahng not fang) tells a family-driven story set within the context of an unsettling future world. Along the way, there is plenty of commentary not only on the world of the story, but also our own world of today.
Performances are strong, especially from lead Jacqueline Kim, who is so compelling as the protagonist, who will do anything for her daughter but also is very human and flawed. The special effects are terrific for such a low budget indie, and they never go over the top or detract from the story.
This is the kind of movie that reminds you of what originality in the movies is like - such a refreshing change from the formulaic movies that seem to dominate the market these days.
As with her last film, Half-Life, the director, Jennifer Phang (pronounced pahng not fang) tells a family-driven story set within the context of an unsettling future world. Along the way, there is plenty of commentary not only on the world of the story, but also our own world of today.
Performances are strong, especially from lead Jacqueline Kim, who is so compelling as the protagonist, who will do anything for her daughter but also is very human and flawed. The special effects are terrific for such a low budget indie, and they never go over the top or detract from the story.
This is the kind of movie that reminds you of what originality in the movies is like - such a refreshing change from the formulaic movies that seem to dominate the market these days.
- jandy-84700
- Jun 23, 2015
- Permalink
From the start it reminded me of the obsession Korean's have with youth and beauty, where the key to success is having plastic surgery. Shallow I guess but this film certainly isn't. The overall theme is a mothers love for her daughter and she would do anything for her. Beautiful, touching and sad.
- whomichaelwho
- Jul 20, 2017
- Permalink
Just awful. It appears someone wrote this in the 50's. The book was never published because it was garbage. Then someone found it and made an even worse movie. Don't believe the reviews.
- Henry-klein
- Jun 22, 2020
- Permalink