Cinema Scholars presents a review of the new John Ridley science fiction romance Needle In A Timestack starring Leslie Odom Jr., Cynthia Erivo, Orlando Bloom, and Freida Pinto.
Introduction
Do you ever ponder what might change in your life if you were able to go back and make even the slightest shift in any given scenario? Or do you believe that no matter the circumstances, our lives will take the same general trajectory despite hypothetical variables? If all the steps (and missteps) in life are what ultimately bring you to your true destiny, then wouldn’t going back to “fix” things potentially veer you away from that?
In the new timeline twister Needle In A Timestack, Academy Award-winning screenwriter John Ridley (12 Years A Slave) steps behind the camera to ask questions like these and more in his gorgeous love story with a science fiction spin.
Premise
Based on the Robert Silverberg story of the same name, Needle In A Timestack takes place in a not-so-distant future where time travel to the past is finally possible. As with most things that sound too good to be true though, there’s a catch. Only the super-wealthy can afford the steep price tag for “jaunting,” or visiting the past. Second catch? If someone goes back in time and changes a detail that affects a person’s timeline, a “time-shift” will occur that may cause permanent life changes.
Adjustments may range from something barely noticeable, like a different pet or car, to an entirely different life altogether. While there are rules to abide by in the world of jaunting to prevent abuse of the new technology, it seems that, much like today, the rules don’t always apply to the super-rich.
Within this context live Nick and Janine, a deeply devoted couple who cherish the life they’ve built together. When Nick begins to sense that the increasing number of time-shifts affecting them aren’t random, he suspects that Tommy, Janine’s ex (and old buddy of his), is using his money to influence the future of their relationship by toying with the past.
Analysis
Needle In A Timestack is a gorgeous, poetic story about the cyclical nature of life and love. While the story carries an undercurrent of existential dread, Ridley conjures a moving romance amid the science fiction mind-bending.
Visually, Ridley alludes to the complexity of alternate timelines by playing with disjointed shot composition over dialogue. While representing the duality of alternate fates, the technique also creates a sense of urgency and attention to detail as the pieces of Nick’s puzzle fall into (and out of) place.
Crisp, moody cinematography by Ramsey Nickell creates a slick and appealing palette helping to soften the unsettling high-concept narrative. An extremely Spartan score by Mark Isham also helps punctuate the serious tone and is supplemented in only a few scenes by the purposeful addition of a few contemporary songs.
Though a majority of the “sci-fi” in Needle In A Timestack takes place in the imagination of the viewer, the digital effect utilized for the time-shifts adds a nice dose of visual impact and otherworldly mystery without overdoing it. The random threat of the time shifts is also effective in establishing the subtle but definite otherness of this futuristic universe.
Performances
Along with Ridley’s detailed eye and the lovely imagery, much of the intangible allure of Needle In A Timestack comes from the impeccable cast. Clocking in the most screen time as protagonist Nick, Leslie Odom, Jr. (Hamilton, One Night In Miami) handily commands the screen with a complex performance that spans three iterations of his character’s story. Through Nick’s fear, confusion, anger, and despair, Odom Jr. aptly takes his character through the motions with heartbreaking realism and stubborn determination.
Tony award-winning and twice-Oscar nominated actress Cynthia Erivo is luminous as Nick’s beloved Janine. Her gentle and thoughtful portrayal of a character caught in the middle of a unique love triangle provides an unexpected source of comfort throughout the heartrending tale.
As Tommy, the accused timeline editor, Orlando Bloom plays it smarmy enough to be a culprit, yet genuine enough to keep his character somewhat sympathetic in the long run. While his character does more offscreen than on, Bloom’s charisma and convincing portrayal help create the most pivotal character of Needle In A Timestack, while also providing a thematic turning point in the narrative.
Further Discussion
While most of the dogma in the time-hopping backstory is explained, there’s no doubt that a shrewd viewer might find a paradox or two in Needle In A Timestack. Then again, if suspending disbelief isn’t already the M.O., then why even bother with a time travel romance in the first place?
Also notable, though never fully fleshed out, is the subtle commentary on the suffering of the working class by the whims of the wealthy. Although the subject is merely touched upon, the troubling discussion certainly resonates in the broader picture of the film and its themes.
Conclusion
Needle In A Timestack is no lighthearted romance. It’s a big thinker’s love story that leaves more questions than answers. The film is a quiet and intriguing meditation on binding and enduring love that takes place in the middle of a thought-provoking science fiction tale.
Lionsgate will release the romance/sci-fi film Needle In A Timestack in Theaters, On Demand & Digital on October 15, 2021, and on Blu-Ray and DVD on October 19, 2021.
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