Self/Less
Originally published on Alt Media
Conceptually, Self/Less is a film that had the potential to explore some deep-seeded philosophical concepts, such as the interplay between the rich and poor, over-reliance on medicine, and finally what it means to be human. Sadly however, these ideas are quickly dashed as the film descends into generic shoot-em-up thriller fair.
The film centres around Damian Hale (Ben Kingsley and Ryan Reynolds), a rich New York real estate magnate who is suffering from a terminal cancer. He is introduced to a shady doctor who in turn introduces him to the concept of ‘shedding’, which promises to transfer his mind into the body of a young, ‘laboratory grown’ vessel.
The only catch being he must not have any contact with people from his past – and take a red pill everyday to prevent hallucinations, migraines and death. After Hale misses just one pill, the film descends into generic thriller fair – and it never recovers, often relying on obvious ‘twists’ that can be seen long before they happen.
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