Retina (2017)

A young woman participates in a medical study. After a series of nightmares and unusual side effects, the line between dreams and reality is blurred. She finds herself on the run from those involved, desperate to uncover the truth.

Director:

Carlos Ferrer

Writer:

Carlos Ferrer (story and screenplay)

Stars:

Lindsay Goranson, Gary Swanson, Ron Haxton

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lindsay Goranson	...	April Watson
Gary Swanson	...	Dr. Green
Ron Haxton	...	Interrogator
Ian Temple	...	Brian
Joshua Jenks	...	Patient / Masked Man
Jared Slade Goldman	...	Patient / Masked Man
Amber Bogdewiecz	...	Receptionist
Jamie Fedorko	...	Husband
Yves Claude	...	Neighbor
Christine Gonzalez	...	Mistress
Ann Rickhoff	...	Newscaster
Sam D. Rivers	...	Masked Man
Sabrina Ferrer	...	Scientist
Josh Malek	...	Scientist
Sara Salerno	...	Police Officer

Storyline

A young woman participates in a medical study. After a series of nightmares and unusual side effects, the line between dreams and reality is blurred. She finds herself on the run from those involved, desperate to uncover the truth.

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Plot Keywords:

mind control | terrorism | unfaithfulness | adultery | extramarital affair | 

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Taglines:

The Truth Will Unfold

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2017 (USA)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

CGF Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min (theatrical)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Before starring in Retina, Gary Swanson appeared in films like Vice Squad and The Bone Collector, starring Denzel Washington.

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Goofs

After the doctor gets shot in the face, he fires his gun until the slide lock opens. A moment later, he drops the gun and the interrogator picks up said pistol, which appears to have locked on its own.

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Crazy Credits

The credits include an unusual job title: "Production Assisted by ... Joshua Jenks and Jared Slade Goldman"

User Reviews

Dreams and reality

Was drawn into seeing 'Retina' with a cool poster/cover, a very intriguing and creative premise (one of the most innovative for any film seen recently) and as someone with a general appreciation for the genre. That it was low-budget, which from frequent personal experience is rarely a good sign due to that there are so many poor ones out there, made me though apprehensive.

'Retina' is a film it doesn't do enough with its potential (although there are far bigger wastes of potential in film) and could have been much better, can't say that it is a great film because it isn't. It is not a terrible film though, as far as recent low-budget film viewings go it's lacklustre but with good things. It certainly could have been far worse, considering the large number of films seen recently being mediocre at best and irredeemably terrible at worst.

Lets start with the positives. The scenery is atmospheric and spooky and 'Retina' is surprisingly well shot and easy on the eye, was expecting a cheap looking film and to me that wasn't the case here.

Found that the acting was not bad, while not award-worthy it was not amateurish and it seemed like the actors were trying to engage.

Also that there were a few nice moments that intrigued and there was some suspense and unsettlement, the first portion is promising.

The suspense and unsettlement doesn't come consistently however, with the second half having very little if any of either. What stops them from being frequent and stronger is an at times deadly dull pace with too many overlong scenes of little going on, not all necessary either and there for padding mainly, and also a structure that is not as cohesive or clear as it could have been.

'Retina's' idea was great but the content is nowhere near enough for a feature film. It feels more like a short film over-stretched. The over-stretched sense is present too in a deliberately sparse but rushed-first-draft-stage script. With a pace and structure that fails to compel it is very difficult to ignore.

Characters have very little to them, while the editing is careless at times, the direction shows little personality or atmosphere, the sound is random and obvious and the music is more monotonous than ominous.

Overall, lacklustre. 4/10 Bethany Cox