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Part metaphysical thriller, part examination of revenge science and ethics the sci-fi curvature wants to get the heart pumping and the mind pondering simultaneously, but sadly misses the mark on both fronts. Following a scientist who time travels to find out the details surrounding her husband’s death and maybe even set up an encounter with her past self, the film brings to mind the low-budget darlings Primer and Coherence, which made do with very little. But this film has not been analyzed or thought through con episodes anywhere near as deeply or creatively. Director Diego Hallivis and his screenwriter, Brian DeLeeuw aim for broad appeal by combining romance with action and puzzle films but get into dangerously shallow waters. Curvature was released to very few theaters alongside VOD and, alas, seems to be destined to fade into the space time continuum.
Curvature takes Helen on a week-long metaphysical journey into the future. Helen is in a race against time because nefarious government agents are trying to stop her from figuring out what happened to her and her husband. She has received a warning that she can only trust herself, yet she goes and seeks help from Alex, her coworker (Zach Avery), who takes her to a clue-filled cabin in the woods. Florence(Linda Hamilton), a robotic technician who also trained her comes into the mix. Her motives are not the only problems she has. Kraviz(Alex Lanipekun) a government agent is on her tail and she must decode her other’s motives. So far she is solving more than just a mystery, she is learning about herself.
Hallivis and DeLeeuw attempt to develop profound themes about a scientist that lacks moral considerations toward their discoveries using the complexities of time travel. One Helen saves another from danger in a wonderful scene, but the rest of the time traveling stunt is puzzlingly ignored. In fact, talking about the consequences of changing past events is nothing but words. Most often, Helen and Alex rush to unravel the shocking reality of Wells’ death as they try not to be caught by Kraviz, who, just like Wiley E. Coyote is dreadful at tracking them down. Unlike the other parts of this film, Curvature does stand out, but only because the time-traveling plot is ever so prominent.
Nikita and Agent Carter actress Fonseca has always been a genre specialist but has always struggled with the task of making Helen’s revelations emotionally rich. Morshower a veteran character actor and Wells’ one-time partner in the film seems to be the only outstanding actor in the cast. He portrays an individual who seemingly used to be an idealist but through rationalization turned out to be a villain. The ability to bend time is certainly enough to make an ethical person go astray. If ‘Curvature’ took this direction, it might have been able to live up to its title.
Overall the film is more persuasive menos the substance, but the technical aspects are mostly solid. The sleek lensing of Noah Rosenthal is greatly complimented by the score of Adam Taylor, who uses a simple synth-based score. The soundtrack reminds the audience of the cool atmosphere created by Cliff Martinez for Steven Soderbergh.
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