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The Final Cut
The
Final Cut is set in a future in which an individual may have a recording
chip placed in their head before they are born which will then record
every moment of their life. Following their death these recorded
memories are cut together like a movie by individuals known as Cutters,
and are then played at the funeral as a “Rememory”. Robin Williams plays
Alan Hakman a talented Cutter (haunted by a childhood incident) who is
sought after by the family of one of them men responsible for the
recording technology. However there are other forces at work, namely
former Cutter Fletcher (Jim Caviezel) who wants to bring stop the
practice of Rememory and hopes the recorded memories of the deceased
will contain incriminating information that will help him do it.
The Final Cut offers up an intriguing premise; How do you judge what is
worth remembering about a person? Shouldn’t people have a say in how
they are remembered? What about the rights of the child that has the
chip implanted into them without their consent? How does the knowledge
of the chip change the way a person lives their life? All intriguing
questions that are not answered nor explored as fully as they could be
as the film is confused about what it wants to be, a futuristic thriller
or an examination of the life of a man who watches others people’s lives
for a living.
Whilst the subplot about Alan’s childhood is resolved, the larger issues
presented are left hanging as The Final Cut ends somewhat abruptly and
predictably following the quite obvious twist. Despite this however the
film is enjoyable on its own, but one is left wondering how much better
it would have been had the larger questions raised been followed through
on.
Robin Williams puts in a fine performance as the man watches others
lives for a living but has no true life of his own. Caviezel is a
menacing villain/anti-hero, with Mira Sorvino rounding out the main cast
in a role that is never fully explored. Such a pity the fine cast were
not given more to work with which would have made The Final Cut a cut
above other films in the genre. |
