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‘Relax, I’m From the Future’ Movie Review: does a lot with little in a funny yet heartfelt short film

‘Relax, I’m From the Future’ Movie Review: does a lot with little in a funny yet heartfelt short film

Relax I'm from the future

Relax, I’m From the Future
Written and Directed by Luke Higginson
Canada, 2013

Time travel is a concept that has been explored in numerous movies throughout history, with varying results both commercially and critically. While the real-life technology for the endeavour remains a pipe dream, the exploration of its ramifications and effects has yet to slow down. Relax, I’m from the Future is the latest film to tackle the idea, using an innovative approach to produce a compelling short that examines the human effects of time travel.

The idea of exploring the loneliness that comes with time travel, and how it affects a person, is a fascinating one. There is no doubt that travelling through time would be a fundamental defining point in a person’s life, but to be unable to share that knowledge with anyone would doubtlessly take its toll, and Higginson’s script smartly tackles this idea with the appropriate weight it deserves, while still managing to keep the proceedings light and humorous. Zachary Bennett also gets due credit for managing to play the character in an earnest manner, despite the nature of what he’s saying, as does Rick Roberts for his reactions.

This is a fascinating short as a whole. The focus away from the time travel mechanics of the plot, a route this film chooses to take, is a smart one, as it allows for a focus on the characters, eliminating the possibility of getting distracted by the logistics of future tech. The ending, however, upholds the genre’s tradition of questioning the consequences of one’s actions in its ambiguous message. Luke Higginson’s ability to create a compelling short from only one location and two performers bodes well for his ability to tell an engaging story regardless of the resources, and marks him as someone whose projects are worth looking out for.

– Deepayan Sengupta

The Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 5th to 15th, 2013. For a complete schedule of films, screening times, and ticket information, please visit the official site.

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