A Tale of Two Concepts – Tenet and Possessor
Article by Ray Schillaci
Last week, two high concept movies were released that I was looking forward to, the much ballyhooed big budget (over $200M) Christopher Nolan secret project, Tenet, and the heralding of a blossoming talent from Brandon Cronenberg with his mind-bending Possessor. Both films play with our head, but one is eventually confusing and boring while the other is a difficult watch while no denying the impact upon the viewer. Cronenberg’s intriguing story about brain implant technology used for assassination purposes proves the old adage, less is more, and Nolan’s tale of agents of a shadow organization traversing through inverted worlds of espionage to prevent an end to the world as we know it is now “typical” Nolan, far more than what we need and soulless.
Writer/director Christopher Nolan appears to keep trying to up his game since his Inception. The problem is, his films have become over-complicated, bigger-than-life situations cluttered with characters we could care less about. At least in Inception we dealt with Leonardo DiCaprio’s angst. Now, comparing Tenet with his other films, his newest fares better than the tedious and exhausting Interstellar and the ladened spectacle Dunkirk that was worse than a star studded Irwin Allen disaster film.
There is no denying the technical achievements in the latest string of Nolan films. But, that’s about it folks. There is little else. His latest film has a very capable John David Washington fresh from his riveting performance in BlackkKlansman, barely given a chance to demonstrate his acting chops amongst the confusion, special effects, stunt and action sequences. The film is like James Bond on a mixture of hallucinogens and methamphetamines. Seriously, I was lost by the third act and ready to go to bed early.
It appears as if Nolan just seems to be enamored with his high-minded ideas and writes around them. Alfred Hitchcock once said, “All actors should be treated like cattle.” Apparently, Nolan adheres to this quote, for the actors occupying Tenet seem to be like the numbers in a lottery bubble, bouncing around from scene to scene with the only purpose to display the next big extravagant whim of his out of control ego.
Perhaps I am being too harsh. There are those that soak up Nolan’s capriciousness and are happy to make excuses for his one dimensional characters inhabiting four or five dimensions in his complex stories. Some will just go with the pyrotechnics, outrageous stunts and visual flare and find the whole affair a good time waster. So, if you are one that enjoyed the two sequels to The Matrix trilogy, Tenet will probably be on your list of rentals. I just can’t see purchasing the film and putting myself through it all again, even in 4K.
Okay, the good news is this is a reference quality picture from Warner Home Video. So, if you want to really show off your system, this is the disc to do it which is probably why many big box stores will be displaying it on the latest QLED TVs. The definition is sharp and the visuals just absolutely stunning. The clarity of the chase scenes are absolutely mind-boggling. The detail with this disc from clothing to buildings is astounding. But, and there is a BIG but for some, and that is the annoying switch of aspect ratios with specific scenes. This is to maximize the IMAX part of the film. All in all, the picture displayed on this disc almost makes up for the lackluster story.
You may want to lower your volume on your bass when you hear this inflated lossless English DTS-HD Master Audio sound. This is the first time I’m going to say there may be too much going on here. The movie is LOUD to the point that you want to turn the volume down a notch or two. Characters speak with heavy accents that are hard to make out at times so you are better off opting for subtitles. Yes, the sound is expansive to the point where you feel surrounded by all the commotion, but sometimes even that gets confusing and throws you out of the rhythm of the film.
Extras are not included on either the 4K or the Blu that’s provided. Instead another Blu is offered in this three disc set that contains a tedious 75 minute doc on the making of the film. Aside from that you get four trailers. Wow, a big whoop out to Nolan and Warner Home Video with a thanks, but no thanks.
On the other hand, Well Go USA offers a very unique vision from Brandon Cronenberg, son of David Cronenberg (The Fly, A History of Violence, Eastern Promises) with both Possessor and Possessor Uncut. These films are not offered together. One is the theatrical cut, the other is the director’s cut. The difference being some scenes are far more grittier and violent and far more sexualized. If the idea of seeing an erect penis bothers you then you will want to skip the uncut version.
Writer/director Brandon Cronenberg arrives as a true auteur minus the ego onscreen. His film brings to mind my first viewing of Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange. This film challenges your mind, it’s audacious, nasty and thought provoking. It’s one of those films people will be talking about for years to come.
Possessor is along the lines of a Manchurian Candidate with a sci-fi bent. In the near future, a secret organization has developed the technology to render innocent people into assassins via mind control and have them commit suicide before any questions are asked. This group is highly paid to commit to their clandestine operation to kidnap a person close to the potential victim, implant a device in their head without their knowledge, and then have one of their operatives go under a machine and take over their body without them knowing it.
The problem being, this group’s best operative, Tasya Vos, is nearing some kind of mental crisis and she is not performing at top peak. Her assignations are becoming increasingly brutal (involving knives), rather than clean (with a firearm) and she does battle with her controlled body to get them to commit suicide. But, she’s also the best in her field and she’s just been offered one of the highest paid hits ever.
There is so much being said for both the theatrical cut and the “uncut” versions. Some prefer the theatrical and feel it’s a stronger showing while others feel that the extreme violence and bizarre sex portrayed justifies the character’s decline and ups the ante for her. Frankly, this reviewer was shocked at the uncut, but did feel that it was justified and in no way was it exploitive. Possessor Uncut is both jarring, extremely suspenseful and shocking in its content.
It’s hard to imagine anyone not being either repelled, fascinated or both. This film is definitely not for anybody easily offended. It’s a stark vision of a dark world that some may not wish to visit. Those that do, nothing can prepare you for what you are about to witness.
Cronenberg emerges as his own visionary with an unflinching narrative, unafraid to take on taboo subjects and depict them in a style that is both unsettling and, dare I say, awe-inspiring. He also has great performances from his players. Sean Bean and Jennifer Jason Leigh turn in creepy cold performances and Andrea Riseborough as Vos is incredibly complex with amazing conviction, an Oscar-worthy mention.
Well Go USA provides a wild-eye view with this 4K disc with a 1.78:1 ratio. A virtual cornucopia of color and styles erupts onto the screen sometimes echoing Stanley Kubrick (as mentioned) and at other times giving off the psychedelia of the ’60s even though it takes place in a near future. The confusing mixture also throws in very cold, flat moments all to submerge into the mind of the killer. It may be a bit much to keep up with, but it definitely emerges into Cronenberg’s world, and at times you may wish that there was less detail in some of the very realistic kill scenes.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is just as much of an assault on the ears as well. That’s not a bad thing as Cronenberg’s sound department works near miracles taking us places we may not be willing to go. The immersive effects are downright frightening and may even go as far as messing with one’s equilibrium. And, that’s not even when the “possessor” takes hold of its victims.
That trippiest of trips is the coup de grâce of this film. With all this going on you may think that the dialogue could suffer. It does not. It’s clean and clear with no reason to opt for subtitles unless you are hard of hearing.
Extras add up to just under an hour which is a shame for such a film that commands far more. Worse, they are not on the 4K disc. Instead they are relegated to the Blu as follows…
• Deleted Scenes include Panic Attack, Reid’s In the Pool and Wake Up and Count
• Behind the Scenes – A Heightened World, Identity Crisis and The Joy of Practical
• Green Band Teaser
• Red Band Teaser
• An Uncut Trailer
Tenet and Possessor Uncut are both science fiction films, but Nolan’s film does a disservice to the genre with an over inflated budget heavy on effects, stunt work and concept while Cronenberg’s movie is a fine mixture of high concept, drama and well written players inhabiting a world rarely seen. It goes without saying that Nolan’s film did well internationally but not as well domestically as his latest films have done before, which could be blamed on COVID-19. Either way, the studio is bankrolling a huge ad campaign for physical medium sales and VOD. Cronenberg’s film does not have this advantage, but should. It’s so much better and should be seen by any fan of the genre.
Please note, the theatrical cut of Possessor is only available on Blu.
Tenet 4K – Lowest Price – $29.96 – Amazon & Walmart
Possessor – Blu – Lowest Price – $14.96 – Walmart
Possessor Uncut – 4K – Lowest Price – $23.99 – Best Buy
Visit Ray’s blog at themonsterinmyhead.com
