Returned

USA • 2015 • 90m •

• Directed by: Lamont Gant. • Starring: Jorden Anderson, Anthony Brown, Robin Brown, Michael Casey, Freddi Green, Aaron Harris, Kiya Jefferson, Erika Kennedy, Blue Kimble, Diane Kirby, LeThomas Lee, Sayyed Shabazz, Shaquita Smith..

Benjamin Lathan's flight disappeared, twelve years later he returns. With the help of a mysterious beauty, he finds himself on an unlikely journey.

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Trailer

2:17

Review:

First off this is a Lamont Gant's film, his fourth. He was apparently the director, one of three writers, one of three novelists, producer, director of photography, production designer, editor, costume designer, visual effects supervisor, music supervisor, one of two casting directors, and even the boom operator for this movie. This movie won't appeal to many audience members much more used to the big multi-million dollar sci fi action blockbusters.

Besides the mostly human wooden performance except when she becomes really angry, Theresa Sullivan (her second casting in a Lamont and only other movie) as the important FBI agent Jourdan Smith, the cast performs decently overall. Unfortunately, because Agent Smith's role is a prominent one, her inability to offer an expressive demeanor takes a significant bite out of the entire movie. What is appealing about this movie is its rather unique take of experimenting with various photographic approaches and angles. The audio sound of this movie is sharp and crisp if not a hundred percent in sync as well as a more than adequate sound track. The alien landscapes and alien atmosphere are eerily inviting and inventive. Additionally, the alien make-up, costume design aren't half bad at all. The movie has elements found in more subdued, sci fi movies that emphasize narrative and characterization over action (K-Pax 2001; Melancholia 2011; Another Earth 2011; Safety Not Guaranteed 2012; The Signal 2014) and its usually live video quality of the developing dramatic narrative is where this movie excels. Yet towards the end, the movie as it gets into more of the intriguing sci fi aspects, the pacing and emotional momentum falls off somewhat.

The existential theme of the movie towards the end was commendable, but its portrayal was somewhat weak in its depiction, all the morality, and goodness, the softly twisting ending that most sci fi monster movies avoid. In short, this movie is more like a university graduate student project that actually for its attempt is a decent one. But as a full feature film in competition with major independents, it falls a bit short.

Review by tabuno from the Internet Movie Database.

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