Primer - Tartan Video

looking at a reflection of yourself looking at a reflection of yourself looking at a reflection of yourself

(no spoilers) It's difficult to justify criticizing this film when it's so obvious how innovative and successful it is in many areas. However, in the most basic area of story-telling, in trying to be too clever `Primer' unfortunately succeeds in alienating a large portion of its audience. In the beginning the technical jargon makes the dialogue indecipherable to all but the most scientifically minded of us (and the poor quality of sound as a result of the dubbed voices of the actors doesn't help matters). In his commentary the director reveals that his intention was for viewers to develop an understanding of the dynamic between the characters in those initial scenes and an understanding of the material wasn't necessarily integral. Despite my detachment from the material in the beginning, I've got to agree that as a viewer I did pay very close attention to character and when the plot began to become a little (and I stress `a little') clearer to me, as the purpose of the machine was unveiled, I felt really invested in the predicament of the two main characters.

I suspected the purpose of the machine, if only because the only practical application that's going to spark the interest of the majority of `Primer's' science-fiction-oriented audience is the actual function that's revealed. Although this film is innovative (in its film-making style if nothing else), the premise is actually not one of those areas that exhibits this trait, because `Primer' borrows and takes inspiration from a lot of popular science-fiction literature. But more recently similar themes have been developed for film and television with the French film `La Jetee' and Ian McEwen's short-story `Solid Geometry', both of which I loved because they're infused with that same ingredient of the totally improbable/awe-inspiring, but placed within a modern context following everyday protagonists. The end result is a particular kind of magic that allows an almost taboo exploration of human behavior. That magical quality is brief and I don't think full advantage is taken of the machine's possibilities, but the attraction to that mysterious power is still strong. However, I do think the director could have maintained that sense of wonder whilst still providing more clues to the ever-unfolding events in the story. By the end of the film I had only the vaguest of notions as to what had occurred and the actions/motivations of the two main characters remained almost a complete mystery to me.

I appreciate that both dense dialogue and a certain brevity to the film were necessary in order to maintain realism and the integrity of the premise, but I can't be too enamored with `Primer' when so much was left unknown to me. Grasping a few extra tidbits of information from repeated viewings is one thing, but I don't think I should have to meticulously dissect a film in order to understand it.

For an explanation...

If you enjoyed Primer but want a better understanding of the plot check out the timeline drawing on neuwanstein.freeweb.hu/primer_timeline.html

Try highlighting the viewer's path through the various timelines and everything falls into place except the character's murky motivations.

I'm amazed (but gratefull!) that someone has the time to put something together like that.

Brave, tech-heavy, demands repeat viewing

Firstly, the production values belie the $7000 dollar budget: director (not to mention lead actor, producer, editor and composer) Shane Carruth coaxes every cent out onto the screen, with effective use of simple locations and lighting through-out.

Primer follows the story of four scientific entrepreneurs who make a remarkable discovery while experimenting in their garage. Atypically the movie refuses to fully explain much of the paradoxes that occur once the movie begins to develop the consequences of their discovery: instead the viewer must pay attention and ride on the coat tails of the confusion that follows.

Primer is most commonly linked in style to Donnie Darko and it is true that there is some overlap on the themes discussed in both films: however Primer is more indie in nature and takes a scientific approach to the subject matter, staunchly so. Half the time I struggled to follow the techno-speak, and the scientific principles and ramifications in the film within the final 15 minutes left me perplexed and bewildered, yet enthralled by the bravura of the director to refuse to make such compromises to the casual viewer.

Carruth promises (unlike the intentionally vague and frustrating Darko) the answers are up there on the screen, but only for those willing to invest further viewings. Be warned, however: those who won't will find themselves frustrated by a film that ultimately threatens to disappear within its own complicated maze of paradoxes it throws out.

Elegantly conceived and delivered

Primer is one of those films that comes out of left field and surprises you with its elegance and originality. I won't deny that the storyline gets somewhat confusing by the end...but that's kind of the point! It is without doubt one of the best and most original "time travel" movies that I've seen (and I've pretty much seen them all!). It has none of the cliches Hollywood seems contractually obliged to insert into movies in this genre and the storyline remains self-consistent and hangs together properly even once the whole movie has played out (compare with nonsense like Deja Vu, Lost In Space etc.)

As the viewer, you don't feel particularly drawn in to the story, more like a peripheral observer. This is apparently quite deliberate and for some reason it just works.

The acting is a bit raw but I found I could forgive them for this. The characterisation was also a bit lacking, but again this added to the overall stark atmosphere of the film.

As others have said, if you liked Donnie Darko and Memento I think you'll like this one too. Just like those two films you have to concentrate the first time through or it'll really make no sense, then watch it again and work out the bits you missed the first time!

A Primer primer

I really enjoyed this film. Not for the cinematography, plot, characterisations, or acting (all of which were at least competent), but for the 'challenge' of it.

The blurb's comparison with Donnie Darko drew me to it, indeed I hadn't even heard of it before I saw it on the shelf in the video rental shop. I read the synopsis and, intrigued, took a chance on it.

The first thing that struck me was the feeling that the viewer was being excluded from the story: rather than it being performed for my benefit, I felt like an eavesdropper. No effort was made to signpost significant development. Even while the protagonists are simplifying their theorisation on the invention to themselves, the explanation is not intended for the audience. The exchange simply just conveys the spirit of their discovery, and their awe.

As a result, while it was perfectly possible to follow the teasingly drawn out story, it's culmination is sudden and typically obscure. Leaving the viewer with a hundred questions about the film, and only a vague grasp of the characters' experience.

The joy in this film is precisely in watching it again to increase your understanding. Unlike 'The Usual Suspects' where a second viewing was sufficient to test if the twist held up at the end, 'Primer' will take half a dozen sittings before you've grasped all the little clues and put them together cohesively ... but the sense of achievement (when it comes) is equal to the insight and cute plotting of the writer / director.

Well done Shane ...