The themes behind artificial intelligence, or A.I. as it is
more commonly called, has been explored countless times in popular culture.
From HAL 9000 to Blade Runner's "Replicants", we continue to be
fascinated by the evolutionary possibilities around creating a machine that can
think and feel the same as we do. People both are both curious and afraid of
the implications behind man creating what could be construed as a new form of
life. There are engineers working right now on advanced robotics and complex
operating systems that make all of these supposed "flights and
fantasy" not seem that far-fetched anymore.
Alex Garland's first feature film as director, Ex Machina,
may seem on the surface like another exploration of the same ideas that have
been covered in movies like Spike Jonze's Her and Steven Spielberg's A.I.
Artificial Intelligence, but if you were thinking that you'd be wrong. In some
ways it is similar but Ex Machina separates itself by not being just about an
A.I.'s journey to find itself but also about two other men's relationship with
it and each other as well.
Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) is a brilliant programmer at the
most successful search engine/social networking company in the world. After
winning a lottery at his job that rewards him with a one week trip to visit his
company's founder and CEO at his top secret research facility, Caleb is full of
excitement. He's anxious to meet the man who most label a prodigy and a genius.
That man, Nathan (Oscar Issac in a stellar performance) lives out in the middle
of what appears to be a natural paradise where his unique home is part
post-modern mansion and part high-tech bunker.
Nathan informs Caleb that he has invited him here to help
perform a final test that will prove that the A.I. he has invented has an
actual consciousness. He has named his
creation, Ava (Alicia Vikander) and she lives in solitude in a sparse room in
the bowels of the eccentric billionaire's facility. Over the next seven days
Caleb is instructed to meet with Ava, a glass wall separating them, and simply
converse with her in order to form an opinion on her viability as a living, thinking,
and feeling being.
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| Ava (Alicia Vikander) and Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) meet everyday to talk through a glass barrier. |
Vikander delivers a unique and convincing performance as
Ava. She never makes the part feel over ly robotic or forced. She is entirely
believable as a subtle sexuality build between her and Caleb until it becomes
confusing as to who is testing whom. As time progresses the young man feelings
for the imprisoned A.I. start to become more and more transparent.
Oscar Issac is the real revelation here, though, as he
continues to prove that he is one of the most exciting acting talents to
explode over the last year or so. His Nathan is a drunk and narcissist like so
many men of genius turn out to be, but he brings a different weight to the
role. In one key scene early on Caleb tells him that if he has truly created an
artificial intelligence than it is not the greatest discovery in the history of
man, but actually in the history of Gods. Later, Nathan reminds him of this
conversation telling Caleb how astute it was to call him a God, which we know
Caleb never did. It illustates perfectly
Nathan's obsession with himself, but also there is sadness underneath the
surface which reveals itself typically when he binge drinks himself into a
stupor.
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| Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) and Nathan (Oscar Issac) discuss the implications for the future if Ava can be proven to have an actual consciousness, |
Issac also gets the award for best impromptu dance sequence
in a movie for 2015. I won't spoil it but it's awesomeness must be witnessed firsthand.
The environment this film takes place in is so striking that
it almost feels like a character itself. The house is both clean and modern
while also blending in perfectly with the wild forest, river and mountains
around it. I have to honestly say it has taken the mantle of "House in a
Movie I Most Wish I Lived In". It is just that freaking cool.
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Because of the limited characters and the fact the entirety
of the film takes place in one location, for the most part, Ex Machina feels
more akin to watching a stage play. It's brilliance lies in the interactions
between its characters and the dialogue that informs their actions. By the time
the final third of the movie rolls around the movie shifts into futuristic
thriller mode and the tension and suspense is ratcheted up big time as Caleb
begins to believe, with some prodding from Ava, that he needs to help free the
trapped machine/woman from her prison and her oppressive inventor. The ending
will leave you surprised and, if you're like me, applauding.
Garland has proven that, as a writer (Never Let Me Go,
Sunshine, The Beach) he is full of smart, accessible stories that can both make
you think and entertain and Ex Machina is no different. It's a welcome addition
to the pantheon of intelligent science fiction films that explore concept
themes around what it means to be human. It is also a brilliant character study
of three complex characters whose motivations reveal themselves slowly giving
us a exciting thriller at a time we need more intelligent, well-written films
like this.
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