re:mote voices

Title: Cypher
Cast: Jeremy Northam, Lucy Liu, Nigel Bennett, Timothy Webber, David Hewlett, Kari Matchett, Kristina Nicoll
Director: Vincenzo Natali

the second film by director vincenzo natali, who was responsible for the film cube. this time around he has more of a budget and some stars, so is likely to attract more attention. like the cube there is a certain sci-fi undertone to the plot, though the over riding genre is likely to be considered espionage. cypher plays mind games with the viewer, having a certain philip k. dick feel - think certain similarities to blade runner, total recall and minority report. which is to say the subtleties revolve around personality, identity, the mind and how these relate to the individual and the corporate.

jeremy northam plays morgan sullivan, a man who applies for the job of industrial espionage with one of the big corporations. each assignment sees him sat in a conference room recording key note speeches. sullivan is quickly bored, this is not the thrilling life of a spy that he expected. however he starts to notice an attractive woman called rita (lucy liu) at each of the hotels he stays in. mixed with crippling headaches, jump cut and buzzing flashbacks sullivan is informed by rita that he is being brainwashed to infiltrate another corporation, but with her help he will become a double agent.

sullivan's role is curious. he is seeking excitement, and manages to almost get there by being an agent, then a double agent. but each level brings a routine that isn't as exciting as he expected. though as the film goes on, it becomes clear that once he has fulfilled his role he will be killed. both companies suddenly look like a threat and sullivan has to find some way of staying alive. with the continually mysterious rita looking like his best hope.

cypher at times feels like it could take itself too seriously, to the point where it would become silly. but it is a film that acknowledges the silliness and plays to it, so that overall cypher is a fun film. from the start it is a highly stylized film, relying on the look and atmosphere of each scene. there is something retro about sullivan, and about the feel of the conferences that he finds himself. this is contrasted by the personality scanners and general level of tech that is included. there is perhaps a similarity to gattaca in the textural impressions of the film - colours, clothes - a general undertone. with that there is perhaps also a touch of brazil, the subversion and slightly off-kilter nature.