Upstream Color (2013)- An endless cycle in 90 minutes (3½ Stars)

Shane Carruth is a jack of all trades. He directed, wrote, and acted in his latest film Upstream Color, but he also did casting, editing, sound, camerawork, production design, and produced it. Fortunately, with great control and handling, Upstream Color is a true work of digital cinema, one that this century has not seen.



The film's plot synopsis details this:
"Kris is derailed from her life when she is drugged by a small-time thief. But something bigger is going on. She is unknowingly drawn into the life cycle of a presence that permeates the microscopic world, moving to nematodes, plant life, livestock, and back again. Along the way, she finds another being—a familiar, who is equally consumed by the larger force. The two search urgently for a place of safety within each other as they struggle to assemble the loose fragments of their wrecked lives."
To be 100% honest, this is the best way to describe the film. The film is confusing and angering at many times, but it is a gorgeous piece of work. Nine years have passed since Primer, and between those nine years must have required some meticulous plotting for the film. The film is almost too well plotted. Sometimes Carruth's story is inaccessible and perplexing in reasoning, but at least it is always watchable.

I recommend reading the film's plot summary on Wikipedia after viewing the film, to pick up on details that were missed during viewing. In total, Upstream Color is a gorgeous and well plotted piece of work that is unfortunately confusing throughout.

3½ Stars