Conceiving Ada (1997)

Director:

Lynn Hershman-Leeson

Writers:

Lynn Hershman-Leeson (writer)
Eileen Jones (writer)

Release Date:

19 February 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

Plot:

Emmy Coer, a computer genius, devises a method of communicating with the past by tapping into undying information waves...

Plot Keywords:

Computer | Death | Nineteenth Century | Genius | Sex Scene

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Tilda Swinton	...	Ada Augusta Byron King, Countess of Lovelace
Francesca Faridany	...	Emmy Coer
Timothy Leary	...	Sims
Karen Black	...	Lady Byron / Mother Coer
John O'Keefe	...	Charles Babbage
John Perry Barlow	...	John Crosse
J.D. Wolfe	...	Nicholas Clayton
Owen Murphy	...	William Lovelace
David Brooks	...	Children's Tutor (David)
Esther Mulligan	...	Mary Shelley
Ellen Sebastian	...	Dr. Fury
Mark Capri	...	Dr. Locock
Joe Wemple	...	Priest / Talk Show Host
Chris von Sneidern	...	Musician In Elevator
David Eppel	...	Simon

Also Known As:

Leidenschaftliche Berechnung (Germany)

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Singapore:PG (cut) | USA:Not Rated

Company:

Hotwire Productions

Trivia:

A director's statement in the film's production notes says that the film was "structured around the idea of a double helix". "Every scene," the notes say, "was structured and shot using a DNA image as a model for actors' placement and camera movement."

Quotes:

Doctor: The uterus is completely destroyed. All that mathematics was too much for your body.

Movie Connections:

References Demon Seed (1977)

Great, but maddening

I found this movie important, enthralling, and maddening. Important, because Ada Byron King, Countess of Lovelace, deserves iconic status today. After all, she was the first computer programmer on record. Ada's character is well-portrayed by Tilda Swinton, who gives her both excellent clarity and a fascinating wild side. The backdrops on the past sections are recognizably digital, but lushly colorful.

The maddening part comes from the modern sections, where we are given a modern programmer who contacts Ada through her computer. This narrative drags the movie down, because it's just not as interesting as Ada. The dragging bothered me, because I really wanted to love this movie.

Throughout the movie, women are explored as complex characters, while men are rendered as arbitrarily cruel caricatures. Oh, well, turnabout is fair play, I suppose, but it didn't enhance my appreciation of the film.

Overall, I'd say, see this film. Ada Lovelace is important to our generation. Grit your teeth and sit through whatever you don't like.