Rent Reminiscence (2021)

Inception-lite - Reminiscence review by AER

With a stronger script this could have been quite convincing and one to remember, as it stands Reminiscence is a bit thin, nonetheless if you are just looking for an original actioner to pass the time this is the tonic. Hugh Jackman is as good as always and him and Thandiwe Newton elevate the material somewhat. Also, the interesting (yet scientifically batty) backdrop of a waterlogged Miami makes this more intriguing and great to look at. The plot is in turn twisty then thuddingly predictable - there are still some surprises to be had. Although, every twist is telegraphed and accompanied by a visual callback for those that were too busy scrolling on their phones, it's still highly watchable, if not a bit sappy, and slightly dopey. Don't worry though the good cast will help you through.

5 out of 10

Could have been so much better - Reminiscence review by Alphaville

Great set-up, great set-design in a future-flooded Miami and moody atmosphere keep things interesting until it becomes obvious that there’s nothing going on here but a dull, relentlessly downbeat film noir. There’s even a world-weary voiceover to help you doze off.

Dull Futuristic Mystery Film - Reminiscence review by GI

A trashy futuristic film noir that is all rather lame and rips from the Philip K. Dick adaptations especially Blade Runner and Total Recall and clearly influenced or an attempt at a Christopher Nolan style (Director and writer Lisa Joy is his sister in law!!). The trouble here is this just coasts along making it seem endless with it's boring narration and a wooden romance driving a mediocre mystery. Hugh Jackman plays Nick, who in a world now damaged by climate change (cue lots of flooded city shots) and a recent war, makes a living with a machine that allows customers to relive their favourite memories. When sultry femme fatale, Mae (Rebecca Ferguson) turns up, he falls in love and gets embroiled in a conspiracy. Jackman plays this as a hard boiled detective type but he's an inconsistent mix of tough guy and cry baby perpetually confused. The fight scenes, when action does finally occur, are dull and the 'machine' amounts to nothing more than a bath really and is there solely to allow various characters memories to be accessed in order to drive the plot. In other words it's a lot of flashbacks! A boring and uninspiring film.