Uncertainty is the most recent in a long line of films that demonstrate how one decision can alter the course of a life. However, the film takes a new twist on this concept as the audience gets to see what would happen in either scenario. In one reality, Bobby (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt of (500) Days of Summer) and Kate (Lynn Collins from X-Men Origins: Wolverine), a young couple living in New York City, discover a cell phone in the back of a cab and opt to return it to the original owner, resulting in a dangerous chase through the city. In the other, Kate and Bobby attend a 4th of July party thrown by Kate’s parents at their Brooklyn home.
The transitions between the two storylines are well done, as the bottom of the screen carefully denotes “yellow” for any scenes that occur in Manhattan (as Kate and Bobby took a taxi) or “green” for anything set in Brooklyn (the color of the sedan the pair climbed into on the way to see Kate’s family). While it’s great that what’s happening is clear, what is uncertain (yes, pun intended) is WHY? What difference does it make if Bobby and Kate go to a party in Brooklyn or ransom off a cell phone in Manhattan? Why should I care about this? There is definitely something lacking from the script to tie both plots together.
Even though the plot has some faults, the movie still has enough redeeming qualities to make it worth viewing. For starters, the acting is phenomenal. Joseph Gordon-Levitt can do no wrong as far as I’m concerned, and his chemistry with Lynn Collins is realistic in both situations. They are truly a couple in love, living their dreams and actually trying to make their relationship work. And with additional cast members such as Olivia Thirlby of Juno fame and Assumpta Serna from Henry VIII, the casting director could not have selected a better fit for any of the characters.
Along with the excellent acting, the camera work feels genuine, as though the audience is really along for whichever ride they are currently examining. The Manhattan scenes that involve fleeing from villains and witnessing murders appear to have been shot with a hand held camera, with just enough shakiness to bring the viewer into the story without distracting him or her with nausea from excessive motion. This changes when Bobby and Kate are in Brooklyn and everything becomes more stable (as if you could be less stable than a high-speed chase with guns blazing in Chinatown).
I’m still a little confused about Uncertainty, but it was enjoyable for me to watch. It wasn’t at all what I expected when I learned that Scott McGehee and David Siegel (The Deep End) wrote, produced and directed this film. However, Uncertainty reminds us of the importance of the choices we make in a unique and fresh perspective that I believe audiences everywhere will relish.
DVD Bonus Features
There is a still frame gallery, footage from the auditions, and script to scene comparisons, which aren’t very exciting. Also, the original TV spot and trailer are included on the disc. The special features here are definitely a letdown. I really thought the script to scene comparisons would be interesting, as many parts of the film are improvised, including the entire last scene, but it was dull enough that I wanted to rip out my teeth one by one, just to think about something other than my boredom.
"Uncertainty" is on sale April 20, 2010 and is not rated. Drama. Directed by David Siegel, Scott McGehee. Written by Scott McGehee, David Siegel. Starring Assumpta Serna, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Lynn Collins, Olivia Thirlby.
