Emotional Destiny Versus Science Debate in ‘I Origins’

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CHICAGO – In the current debate between metaphysical spirituality or intelligent design versus scientific and provable fact, there are demands regarding the religious or metaphysics that do not relate to those facts. What the new film “I Origins” hopes to provide for, is that there is room for both forms of mysticism in our lives, if only the eyes remain open.

Writer/Director Mike Cahill, in his first film since the transforming “Another Earth” (2011), takes on our ability to remain faithful in a tech-and-science realm, which seems to dispute faith with every passing discovery. By highlighting a research scientist – portrayed with magnificent clarity by Michael Pitt – Cahill brings forth a story that rocks our real world of assumed knowledge. The research scientist is on the edge of a cliff in this drama, and discoveries are made because this time they’re personal.

Ian Gray (Michael Pitt) is a graduate student whose specialty is the evolution study of the human eye. He’s trying to disprove that there is any “intelligent design” or God involved in this evolution. He likes to photograph eyes, as they are as distinct as fingerprints. As he is doing so, while at a party with a lovely woman named Sofi (Astrid Bergés-Frisbey). His shock from her eyeball uniqueness turns into an attraction that turns into an obsession.

Michael Pitt
Ian Gray (Michael Pitt) Notes His Research in ‘I Origins’
Photo credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures

Sofi disappears, but a series of unlikely events leads Ian back to her. Sofi believes in God, and constantly reminds Ian of that faith when they reconnect. Tragedy befalls their relationship, and Ian is forced back to the laboratory, with assistants Karen (Brit Marling) and Kenny (Steven Yuen). Seven years go by, and bit-by-bit some strange occurrences are infiltrating their research and discoveries, all leading back to concepts of Sofi.

Like “Another Earth,” writer/director Cahill is challenging the mindset of facts within an always mystical world. By placing his story on the cutting edge of scientific research, he tests the notion that facts are finite. The brilliance of this thesis is in the respect the film has for both science and the mystic. The brainy and studious Ian is perplexed by Sofi’s insistence on matters beyond science, and because he has known her can later absolve himself of those facts.

Cahill is also collaborating once again with the beautiful and mysterious actress Brit Marling, who both performed in and co-wrote “Another Earth.” This time she is a supporting character, but her presence is a catalyst for keeping Ian Gray centered while the value of their research becomes apparent. In an interview with HollywoodChicago.com, Cahill expressed how he could throw Marling a “flaming, twirling curve ball, and she could still smack it out of the park.” Marling is an enigma that fills a screen whenever she appears there. Her presence represents much of the metaphysical spirit of the film.

Michael Pitt is an underrated performer in films and television today, he always brings something to the table that goes beyond the story. Pitt clearly understands Ian, and imbues a grace and philosophy within the character that follows his obsessions with precise interconnection. He is tremendous in projecting Cahill’s material within the story, and makes even the most predictable scenes that much more unpredictable.

Michael Pitt, Brit Marling
Ian and His Essential Associate Karen (Brit Marling) in ‘I Origins’
Photo credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures

And yes, there is a bit of predictability in the film, but it doesn’t really matter. What matters is how our faith can overcome or overwhelm our belief systems, based on the level we’re willing to experience. There is also a purity of emotion in the film, to go along with the science, and it is a reminder that despite all the knowledge in world – and our access to it – what becomes most important is our relationships toward other humans, how we learn from those relationships, and what is invisible to the eye.

Would the mega-Christian or other religious orthodoxy be satisfied with the viewpoints of “I Origins”? Would the atheists? I don’t think satisfied is the word as much as delivered. We are delivered to whatever conclusions we can bear, based on our own life paths, and the title “I Origins” bears that consequence.

“I Origins” continues its limited release in Chicago on July 25th. See local listings for theaters and show times. Featuring Michael Pitt, Brit Marling, Steven Yuen and Astrid Bergés-Frisbey. Written and directed by Mike Cahill. Rated “R”

HollywoodChicago.com senior staff writer Patrick McDonald

By PATRICK McDONALD
Senior Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2014 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

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