The Discovery (2017)

Two years after the afterlife is scientifically proven, a man attempts to help a young woman break away from her dark past.

Director:

Charlie McDowell

Writers:

Charlie McDowell, Justin Lader

Stars:

Robert Redford, Mary Steenburgen, Brian McCarthy

Cast

Credited cast:
Robert Redford	...	Thomas
Mary Steenburgen	...	Interviewer
Brian McCarthy	...	Sound Recordist
Jason Segel	...	Will
Rooney Mara	...	Isla
Jesse Plemons	...	Toby
Ron Canada	...	Cooper
Riley Keough	...	Lacey
Connor Ratliff	...	Coroner
M.J. Karmi	...	Janice (as MJ Karmi)
Kimleigh Smith	...	Hospital Receptionist
Willie C. Carpenter	...	Hospital Janitor (as Willie Carpenter)
Wendy Makkena	...	Mom
Adam Khaykin	...	Oliver (as Adam Morrison Khaykin)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lindsay Schnebly	...	Newscaster

Storyline

Writer-director Charlie McDowell returns to Sundance this year with a thriller about a scientist (played by Robert Redford) who uncovers scientific proof that there is indeed an afterlife. His son is portrayed by Jason Segel, who's not too sure about his father's "discovery", and Rooney Mara plays a mystery woman who has her own reasons for wanting to find out more about the afterlife.

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Plot Keywords:

suicide | alternative reality | after life | playing in the surf | playing a mouth organ | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 March 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Descoberta

Filming Locations:

Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Endgame Entertainment, Netflix, Protagonist Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jason Segel claims that while filming, he would "watch a lot of movies of Robert Redford when he was my age" in his free time for inspiration. He says Three Days of the Condor (1975) was one of the most influential films on his acting for this role.

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Goofs

When Will saves Isla, she tells him: "You were supposed to be the last person I ever spoke to.". But after they talked while she was hitchhiking, she got a ride, so the last person Isla talked to should be the driver, at least to tell him where she was going to (even is she might be meaning that Will was "the last person she had a significant conversation with").

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Quotes

[first lines]
Interviewer: Dr. Harber, before we're live, I just wanted to say thank you for choosing me.
Thomas: [warming up his voice] Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
Interviewer: The rich history you have with other journalists...
Thomas: I chose you precisely because we don't have a history. Now, don't fuck it up.
Producer: Fifteen seconds...

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Jason Segel/Lilly Singh/Brian Regan (2017)

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Soundtracks

Cantata BWV 52 (Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen) - Recitative
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Orchestre Symphonique de Radio-Tele-Luxembourg
Courtesy of Forlane
Under License from 5 Alarm Music

User Reviews

Underrated flick that deserves a viewing

I wasn't sure about seeing this film because of the rating, but the concept was interesting and being a fan of Rooney Mara's work I decided to give it a shot. And I am glad I did.

The opening scene is very well done because it grabs your attention from the first second. But what comes after is what bothered most of the viewers who felt disappointed - the personal story line between Jason Siegel's and Rooney Mara's characters becoming the center of attention instead of the concept of an afterlife and how it works.

Personally, while watching the movie, I did feel a little bit deceived, because "the discovery" took a back seat, BUT after finishing the movie it all made sense. I think the film was very well structured and managed to get across it's idea and explanation of how afterlife works very well to the audience, without having to talk about it and explain it in every scene as if the viewers are little children. I do not agree with some statements that the concept of "the discovery" was not well done, finished or explained well. Last 10 min. do contain a lot of information and the viewer should pay attention.

The acting was very good, however overall I must agree that it is not the most exciting film. What I mean is that it won't be in your "most memorable or favorite"movie list. It's a good watch on lazy night though. Give it a go.