Science fiction is an amazing genre within the world of cinema. This mind-bending, thought-provoking style allows filmmakers to push the boundaries on visuals and story. However, what truly sets auteurs above the rest is their ability to take that advantage one step further. If one is not confounded to the basic concepts of science and logic, then why must an individual chain himself to conventional story structure. Science Fiction is oversaturated with cliche’s and familiar tropes that audiences have become numb too, so when someone goes against the grain and finds a way to ice skate uphill, it is truly a game-changing event to witness.
These cinematic endeavors are not for everyone and do require some seasoned cognitive abilities to take away everything being put down in front of them. Moreover, if all the aspects are there, then the result is an experience that will make you ponder everything from the impossible to one’s existence. Some motion pictures attempt to fit this description, but none does so quite like Claire Denis’s “High Life.”
The film stars independent film MVP Robert Pattinson in another role that solidifies his legacy as a top player in the game today, eclipsing any negative connotations from his early Young Adult franchise days. He plays a character named Monte, who is a convicted of murder and while serving his life sentence, he is offered the chance to be sent into space to see if energy can be harnessed from a black hole. The film starts with him alone on the ship taking care of a small child one can assume is his daughter.
Parallel to that narrative, the events leading up to this predicament begin to unfold. Audiences see that during his time on the ship, Juliet Binoche’s character Dibs is running experiments on Monte and the other unfortunate souls on this voyage involving fertility. Whether it’s the destitute of deep space, the fact they are all dangerous criminals or that they are being treated like guinea pigs causes some of them to get violent and act strangely. The mystery of how it ended up just being father and daughter alone on the ship begins to unveil itself as we see the daughter grow up under the tutelage of our troubled protagonist.
Pattinson truly shines in this one, leaving little room for his castmates to get a chance to develop. While there are several intriguing characters like Andre 3000’s Tcherny, who leaves his family to make something out of his unfortunate incarceration, are basically just there to be killed off in usual space movie fashion. They do give a few give lines, but overall we never really learn much about the others on board. Binoche’s performance of Dibs is excellent most of the time. The monologues are a bit confusing, and it’s difficult to pinpoint her motivation as a character. If that was the intention, it comes off a bit frustrating, but its made up for in other ways from the role. Her fearless performance and sinister demeanor somewhat atone for her questionable dialogue at times and overall really doesn’t hurt the film. Its Pattinson’s Space voyage and everyone else is just along for the ride, which isn’t a bad thing overall.
This film is full of symbolism and heavy themes being laid down. From the Eden-esque garden at the center of the ship to the pleasure machine called The Box, there is a smorgasbord of references to sex, fertility, parenting, and the continuation of the human species. The film sometimes tests the limits of its rating with many shocking moments including a daringly bold self-pleasuring scene, yet while some may find it too revealing, others will find it somewhat poetic.
The intensity and passion all thrown together into this illusion within a tiny vessel is an excellent comparison to the narrative overall. “High Life” offers a vast collection of occasions containing its unique atmosphere and sensation, all pleasantly enhanced by its choice of a retro style production design. The setting, which resembles space crafts from the early Alien films rather than something say out of Star Wars, help ground the movie with its presumably realistic take on space travel, thus assisting the audience in suspending belief enough to fully embrace the psychedelic mind warp this flick has to offer.
The thing to keep in mind with this director is that she is not a fan of the linear narrative. Like Christopher Nolan and Quentin Tarantino, the infamous Indie filmmaker likes to tell her stories out of chronological order, forcing the audience to engage with the material she is presenting fully. This is very apparent in “High Life” as the story continually jumps from different time periods all leading to the film’s final moments. All these moments of tragedy, desire, and devastation are all wrapped around a visually stellar space odyssey that plays out like you are solving a puzzle but can’t until the end when the last piece is finally presented. The result is yet another milestone in Denis’s illustrious career that features such titles as “Beau Travail” and “35 Shots of Rum.”
There aren’t many issues to be had with “High Life.” The pacing is a bit slower than necessary, and some minor things are left a bit too ominous, but those are small tidbits in an otherwise Intellectually stimulating experience that sparks much debate. Viewers will not just contend with what it all means, but if it was actually good. Some will argue its a snooze- fest because there are no laser or explosions. However, those with a keen sense of story will see that this scary and sometimes erotic black hole adventure is more than just a dependable title in the science fiction genre. This one should be considered solid triumph for both the cast and the director as well as anyone that makes it to the end, with it leaving them wanting more.
