Staring: SHANE CARRUTH, and DAVID SULLIVAN.
Written, Cast, Produced, Directed, and Scored By: SHANE CARRUTH.
Primer, was released in 2004 and was instantly nominated for three, IFC INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS. Best Film, Best Director (SHANE CARRUTH), and Best Debut Performance, (DAVID SULLIVAN).
<THIS REVIEW CONTAINS OVERALL VERY MINOR SPOILERS>
(“First off, I want to say that if you like movies that make you think, and you find time travel somewhat entertaining, this is your next favorite film…”)
Primer, follows the lives of Abe (David) and Aaron (Shane). Both are white collar workers by day, garage inventor entrepreneurs by night. After splintering off from the other two members in the group (due to a conflict on what product to pursue), Abe and Aaron find a simple way to enhance a super conducting field at room tempature. As the first garage experiment concludes, they remove the protective cover from the device, and …………
As the story unfolds Abe figures out that the device (if properly regulated) can transport objects 12 hours into the future, and back. Unknown to Aaron, Abe has constructed two human size chambers. Abe then goes ahead (in time) to show Aaron that its safe and possible. At this point the two engineers realize that they can use the device to make a fortune on the lottery and in the futures markets. However they soon realize one big problem, when they travel ahead in time, the laws of time-causality create duplicate Abe and Aaron’s. This side effect leads the (original) Abe and Aaron, down dark alleys of greed and treachery.
I spent some time thinking about how to continue writing this review. If I explain the story (the way I see it) it will have a spoiler effect, as the movie is very clever and in some ways hard to grasp from the first viewing. The ending is one of those that reminds me of Artificial Intelligence or Twelve Monkeys in the way that some will get it, some will just be confused. So I’ve decided to conclude the overall story review here.
Personally I found this film to be incredible in its compelling story, its look and style. The science behind the story was understandable, and easy to believe. Primer is an amazing example of how great writing, and great independent thinking can produce an amazing motion picture, as the budget never exceeded $8.000 dollars.
Primer single disc DVD contains, the theatrical trailer, and two commentaries.
*Note: I’ve watched the film 4 times since Saturday also with both commentaries. Just (fyi), the commentaries cover the production and how the film was shot, they unfortunately contain very little on what’s really going on with the story. Enjoy!