Half-Life (2008)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

Jennifer Phang

Writer (WGA):

Jennifer Phang (written by)

Release Date:

2008 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

As troubling signs of global cataclysms accelerate, a brother and sister react to their father's desertion and the powerful presence of their mother's new boyfriend.

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Sanoe Lake	...	Pamela Wu
Julia Nickson-Soul	...	Saura Wu
Leonardo Nam	...	Scott Parker
Ben Redgrave	...	Wendell
Lee Marks	...	Jonah Robertson
James Eckhouse	...	Richard Parker
Susan Ruttan	...	Lorraine Parker
Alexander Agate	...	Timothy Wu
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Katrina Agate	...	Jenny
Mary Angello	...	Aida
Vonn Scott Bair	...	BBQ Dad
Mike Bruce	...	TV Anchorman
Toby Evetts	...	Documentary Announcer
Deb Fink	...	Terry Hartman
Keisuke Hoashi	...	Field Reporter / Radio News Reporter
Samantha Martin	...	Patient
Danton Mew	...	Tim Wu Sr.
Andrew Pitts	...	Gunther
John Stuart West	...	Radio News Reporter

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Fade to Blue Films

Trivia:

Developed at the Film Independent (FIND) Directors Lab under the instruction of film and television director Rodrigo García.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Behind the Couch: Casting in Hollywood (2005)

Best of Sundance

The film explores major-themes in Multiculturalism and the human angst for the 21st century. What is specifically startling is how vibrant the aesthetic approach is in production value. Although reportedly not a high budget project, Phang's mis-en-scene is breath-taking. Also worth noting is the extremely likable performance by Alexander Agate, who rivals any child performance to date (reminded me of the powerful performance by Anna Paquin for THE PIANO.) While the pacing may not be for everyone, I think this is a film for the type of audience who enjoys a cerebral experience similar to DONNIE DARKO or Pink Floyd's THE WALL. The original score takes a post-modern approach of incidental music, which is very innovative in keeping the film from being too sentimental.