Movie Review – Reminiscence

This movie had the potential to be great, yet it was just okay.

Don’t take me wrong, I enjoyed it. Especially the great performances by Hugh Jackman, Thandiwe Newton, and Rebecca Ferguson. Bonus points for Asian actor Daniel Wu, who was the Prince Charming in every girl’s dream back in the 2000s in China. I also enjoyed the soundtrack. The director definitely knows how to set the mood for a movie.

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The story itself is simple enough, but when I think about the movie afterward, my focus goes to the things in the periphery of the main storyline. There are messages left there, yet I couldn’t get a clear one out. Of course, it could all be me overthinking it, but I still think it had the potential to dig deeper and be great, but turned out to be just okay.

Here are a few things I think had the potential but fell short.

First, it’s cool that the movie is self-referential. But then again, it’s not a new trick. It could have been weaved into the story in a smarter way so it doesn’t feel as heavy-handed. (Don’t ask me how. I’m neither a writer nor a director. Christopher Nolan might have a thing or two to say.)

The story takes place in a future that doesn’t seem too far-fetched or faraway, especially with recent disastrous weather events. But the story is told in a way that’s more about it than anything else. There’s not much of a “big picture” to it. What do I mean by that? There are ways to tell a story; I believe the good ones are either a story that serves a grander goal, or everything serves a grander story. But in this case, everything serves a mediocre story.

If I didn’t have to write a review that makes me really think about it, I wouldn’t even notice the potential it could have had. I would have left the theater not feeling much at all. But then again, it was nice to see Hugh Jackman on the big screen again after a long while.

Grade: B-

About The Peetimes: I would recommend using the third Peetime, but the other two are okay.

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Terry McCleary

September 23, 2023

This app is the best wingman for a movie goer, especially when you have to go. It even has a vibrating timer that is spot on for those ‘go times’ some of us need! There are many other features that are wonderful. It even lets you know when the kill scenes are coming up for the people and animals for those who may have sensitivities to that type of content. The staff go above and beyond!

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There are no extra scenes during, or after, the end credits of Reminiscence. (What we mean by Anything Extra.)

Vera Tsien

Vera Tsien/Gardner.
Software engineer, Sci-fi lover, Global Citizen born and raised in Southeast China. She stood still when the earth rotates and now she’s in Southeast America. 🙂

She does most of the movie Peetimes with Dan and very rarely writes blogs. If you are seeing this bio, that means you have sought her out.