Reminiscence is a Unique Thriller

I have enjoyed most of the movies I have seen Hugh Jackman in over the years and I am usually interested in seeing his new movies.  I saw one commercial for his newest movie, Reminiscence, shortly before the release date.  That was the only promotion I saw for the movie.  I wasn’t exactly sure what it was about, but I was interested in watching it.

Reminiscence was released to theaters on August 20, 2021.  It was also available on HBO Max for a month.  I did watch the movie on HBO Max shortly before that month was up.  I think the movie will be available there again in the future, but I don’t know when at this point.  

I really didn’t know what Reminiscence was about when I watched it.  I am only going to briefly discuss the plot of the movie.

** Minor Plot Discussion**

In the not to distant future, climate changes have caused major issues.  Miami has flooded and the heat is too extreme for people to do much of anything during the day hours, so most people now live at night.  Nick Bannister has a business that allows people to relive memories.  He and his business partner Watts also sometimes work for the local prosecutor to help in questioning people.  Something happens with a client that makes Nick start to spiral out of control.

**End of Minor Plot Discussion**

Reminiscence is just under two hours long.  It is rated PG-13.  There is some violence in a few scenes without it being a violent movie overall.  There are elements of a noir movie and mystery to what is going on, as well as some science fiction elements connected to the memory stuff.  I think that works for the movie.  The story is somewhat complicated, but I don’t think it is difficult to follow.  I wasn’t able to figure everything out.  The movie is definitely different.  Some people may not like that.  I did.  It is one of the more unique movies I have seen in a long time.  The movie is the directorial debut of Lisa Joy, one of the creators of the HBO series Westworld.  I have seen that the movie didn’t do well at the box office.  I think part of the reason why could be that there was not much promotion for it before it was released.  The fact that the pandemic is still going on probably had something to do with that as well.  

Memories play a big part in Reminiscence and several are shared throughout the movie.  A new type of technology has been developed that allows people to more fully visit specific memories.  It was originally developed for interrogations, but a use in the private sector was also discovered.  Nick is not the only person to have a business like his, though it seems like his may be considered a bit more run down.  His location definitely isn’t fancy and it is just him and Watts working there.  I believe there are other more high class types of businesses, though Nick is the one that the prosecutor turns to for help.  He did start doing it for interrogation purposes while he was still in the military.  Watts was in the military with him.  Neither of them talk about that time much, but things from that time do come up once or twice.  Watts has some of her own issues in her past that she hasn’t fully dealt with as well.  Most of the times when a memory is shared, it is clear that it is a memory.  There are times when it isn’t clear at first if what is happening is a memory or not, and some people may not like that aspect of the movie. There was once or twice during a memory that something is shown that the person having the memory shouldn’t have known, like something that happened when they weren’t in the room.   

The movie is mostly focused on Nick and what he is going through.  He is somewhat complicated and he makes questionable choices at times.  He is an interesting character.  Hugh Jackman is good in the part.  Watts is the woman who works with Nick.  They were in the military together.  She has some issues of her own that come up a few times.  She and Nick do work well together for the most part, but they don’t always agree on things.  Thandiwe Newton is really good in the part.  Rebecca Ferguson does a good job as Mae, a somewhat mysterious client that Nick becomes obsessed with.  A few of Nick’s other clients turn up as well as some people that are part of some of the memories.  Some of the characters aren’t developed that much, but that works for the game.

Reminiscence is a bit different, but I think it is an entertaining movie that is worth watching.  I keep hearing people say they want original movies instead of the same types of stories over and over or more remakes/reboots.  Reminiscence is definitely original and it deserves to be seen.