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Berlin Film Festival Reviews

Posted: Fri., Jan. 18, 2008, 12:38pm PT

Sundance 2008

Reversion

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A Girls With Glasses presentation in association with Lane Street Pictures. (International sales: Steven C. Beer, New York.) Produced by Rebecca Sonnenshine, Mia Trachinger. Co-producer, Ulrich Schwarz. Directed, written by Mia Trachinger.

With: Leslie Silva, Jason Olive, Tom Maden, Jennifer Jalene, Jason Frost, Ed Refuerzo.

Eight years after her slightly daft debut, "Bunny," writer-director Mia Trachinger appears in over her head in the deep end of the pool with "Reversion," which will be proof to some that God(ard) is not dead. Grafting a simplistic variation of jump-cutting and time dislocation onto a near-future drama about human mutants who have no sense of time, pic lacks visual finesse and stylistic aplomb to make a Los Angeles-meets-"Alphaville" conception work. This time trip will be quickly forgotten, though hardcore "Bunny"-ites will take notice.

Eva (Leslie Silva), whose Afro and tough-gal stance make her seem like she could be the daughter Pam Grier's Coffy, is one of several people born without an awareness of past, present and future -- and a moral compass. She spends much of her day losing and then searching for young fellow mutant Ray (Tom Maden). Her semi-b.f. Marcus (Jason Olive), another mutant, is along for the ride, but he becomes a nuisance when pressing Ray about a stolen gun. "Reversion" already has enough problems without inserts about child development that don't so much layer the story as interrupt it.

Directed, written by Mia Trachinger. Camera (color, DV), Patti Lee; editor, Mischa Livingstone; music, Jonathan Snipes; production designer, Reed Johns; costume designer, Michelle Wang. Reviewed at Sundance Film Festival (New Frontier), Jan. 18, 2008. Running time: 84 MIN.

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