![]() These things are inherent to cinema that challenges the space-time continuum. It's the type of movie which lends itself to close repeat viewings, dissections, and discussions. Aspects of Deja Vu can't easily be classified as Bruckheimer or better there is an affecting opening blast, what is probably the first car chase divided by time, and genuine emotion to Carlin's yearning to solve a crime without tragedy lingering. The film even gets away with things that border on hokey by playing them out as anything but.Īs a result, elements common to Bruckheimer's repertoire - men being men in the face of tough situations, a partner's death, an everyman protagonist - mesh surprisingly well with grander themes (physics, religion, fate), which are considered but not explored in pretentious, question-answering ways. Suspension of disbelief is required and not necessarily earned, but once submitted, Bill Marsilii and Terry Rossio's clever script yields a compelling and exciting time. The mix of realism (Bruckheimer and Scott exhibit enough restraint to keep this from being hyper-realistic) with fantastical elements works far better than you'd suspect. While it is nearly as imaginative and inspired as Back to the Future or 12 Monkeys, on the surface, it appears to be (and was essentially advertised as) just another Jerry Bruckheimer crime drama. Only, the device that was essentially a time machine on video? It's an actual time machine.ĭeja Vu takes the always-interesting concept of time travel and puts a unique spin on it. Carlin and company are able to relive the final moments of the victim (Paula Patton) while hoping they will bring them closer to the unstable miscreant behind both heinous acts. Deja Vu proceeds to cover the exhaustive probe into the ferry explosion and an abduction/murder of a young woman that may be pivotal to it. While the genre shift occurs just a bit before the hour mark (roughly halfway into the film), there is no change in tone or consistency. It's vocalized in Carlin's curiosity which moves the film from crime drama to science fiction. Audience speculation doesn't go ignored, however. For all the advanced technology that now exists, nothing comes close to approximating such an event-recreation process. ![]() At this point, clearly, Deja Vu needs to be granted some artistic license. Alas, this window into the past comes with limitations due to the demands of image-rendering, it only shows footage from 4¼ days ago and it does so in a steady stream, prohibiting rewinding and fast-forwarding, even while allowing viewers to move around to witness any location as it was at the recent time. Then, Carlin joins a secret team handling the case and things suddenly feel a lot like the paranoia-fueled Enemy of the State, the prior union of Touchstone, Bruckheimer, and director Tony Scott.Īmidst the high-tech gadgetry and satellite surveillance is a device like no other, which allows a thorough recreation of past events. Fellow no-nonsense investigators (Bruce Greenwood, Val Kilmer) and he begin pooling clues and posing theories. Initially, the observant Carlin seems to be part of a criminal investigation common to today's primetime television (thanks largely to Bruckheimer's "CSI" and spin-offs). Doug Carlin (Denzel Washington), a local officer of the federal Bureau of ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosions), is assigned to the case, which is promptly deemed a terrorist act. On Fat Tuesday morning in post-Katrina New Orleans, a ferry containing hordes of navy soldiers explodes, resulting in many fiery deaths. But the movie that follows these mood-establishing minutes is different and much better than the murky memory mystery anticipated. These expectations appear to be met quickly, as the Touchstone and Jerry Bruckheimer company logos as well as select opening creditsĪre repeated in such a way that you're not sure you saw what you think you did. The title Deja Vu and the trailers for this recent film give potential viewers certain expectations. Theatrical Release: Novem/ Running Time: 126 Minutes / Rating: PG-13Ĭast: Denzel Washington (Doug Carlin), Paula Patton (Claire Kuchever), Val Kilmer (Andrew Pryzwarra), Jim Caviezel (Caroll Oerstadt), Adam Goldberg (Denny), Elden Henson (Gunnars), Erika Alexander (Shanti), Bruce Greenwood (Jack McCready), Rick Hutchman (Agent Stalhuth), Matt Craven (Larry Minuti), Donna Scott (Beth), Elle Fanning (Abbey), Brian Howe (Medical Examiner)
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