A family gathers to discuss personal affairs while the environment collapses and the governments impose inhumane measures.
It cuts right to the chase but holds its punches. Humane tackles the environmental and human crisis we currently experience. In this dystopian future, mankind has managed to damage planet Earth irreparably and now faces the consequences. Netflix produced a similar one to a very dissimilar way. Nowhere (2023): https://kaygazpro.com/nowhere-2023/ focuses on one woman’s effort to survive these austerity measures, whereas Humane focuses on the way the family members fight one another and the government that never took measures to prevent this from happening but make the people pay for it – rings a bell?
Director Caitlin Cronenberg makes a decent effort to distance herself from her brother Brandon and her father David, who have significantly different cinematic styles. Her approach is not the problem. Arguably, it is Michael Sparaga’s script that is weak and undecided about what message it wants to convey – something that obviously affects all three acts.
Just a few examples: The first dinner sequence was not daring. There are cinematic family fights out there that keep you pinned on your seats. This was very… conservative. Admittedly, the second fight was much better. Then, the first plot point and how Cronenberg shows it will get your attention. I guess what they say is true. You only show your true colours when you’re with your back against the wall. So, there are strong moments and weak moments in the film. Overall, though, it is not as impactful as it could have been, despite the great cast.
It is my understanding that more films and/or series will come out addressing the way we treat this world and one another, the way we see governments, and the whole notion of “system.” We are ruining ourselves and this world, so making a film that accurately depicts that will be a Herculean task. Let’s stop the self-destruction regardless of the accuracy of the films we make.
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