Review of Possible Worlds

Introduction

A caretaker finds a man dead in his apartment. Not a usual murder however because no money or goods have been taken. However his head has been sliced like a boiled egg and his brain extracted. So far so `Highlander`.

In the next scene this man, George Barber(played by Tom McCamus) is still alive. In a series of flashbacks we see him appear to live several lives. The only thing that remains constant is his desire to start a relationship with the same woman. There are four incarnations of the woman who, in different universes, may be his wife, his lover or someone in whom he has an unhealthy interest. George appears to be seeking answers and is afraid of someone who can kill him in every reality.

The murder case continues with additional victims who also have their brains removed. The police team meet a scientist who has an interest in studying the brain after death. Meanwhile the caretaker who discovered the body claims he has seen lights in the sky.

The director of this film gave us the celebrated `Jesus of Montreal` and other French Canadian productions. This is his first film in English and is based on a play first staged in 1990.

Video

The visuals are good. The film is recent and therefore free of dust and grain. Much use is made of interiors and there is a claustrophobic feel even to external locations.

The leading actress Tilda Swinton has to portray four different people. She changes her hair a lot for this. Tom McCamus has the same hangdog look in every scene.

This film started as a stage play and there are limited locations.

Audio

There is little `action` and the dialogue is therefore crucial. The dialogue and plot are disappointing with unsatisfying holes left in the plot.
The reproduction of the sound is fine but the music is unmemorable.

Features

No extras unfortunately- they might have explained the holes in the plot.

Conclusion

To me this film promised much and it could not deliver. Stephen Hawking has written in a far more gripping way about the theory of multiple universes.
Like so much science fiction you end up making allowances because it has potential. It would have been done so much better if it had been an episode of `The X-Files`, which, at least carries the strength of its convictions. Nothing niggles me more than the loose end that obviously dangles in a plot. In this case it`s the death of the caretaker, which is blatantly left unanswered at the end of the film. Add a possible sub plot about aliens and a brain in a jar and you end up with a mish-mash that doesn`t even answer any of the questions it raises. I`ve thought about watching it again but unless I need a cure for insomnia I probably won`t bother.