A Thoughtful Review of ‘In The Blink Of An Eye’: Andrew Stanton’s Generational Tale at Sundance Film Festival
Andrew Stanton’s ‘In the Blink of an Eye’: A Journey Through Time and Sentimentality
Andrew Stanton’s latest film, In the Blink of an Eye, attempts an ambitious exploration of human existence across multiple timelines. However, the execution may leave viewers yearning for a more compelling narrative. For its duration of one hour and thirty-four minutes, audiences are greeted with a repetitive thematic approach reminiscent of Whitney Houston’s emotive ballad, "The Greatest Love of All."
The film opens with a slow, meandering pace reminiscent of early-2000s screensavers. It seeks to pay homage to the evolutionary forces that sustain humanity but struggles to maintain engagement throughout its divergent storylines. While it may not reach the narrative extremes of Cloud Atlas, the connections linking its three segments unfold too slowly to hold the viewer’s attention.
Drawing inspiration from Terrence Malick’s Tree of Life, In the Blink of an Eye introduces itself with a philosophical phrase: “Remember, remember, this is now, and now, and now.” While the quote captures the film’s ambitious structure, it may seem unusual for viewers seeking inspiration from less somber sources. The film weaves together distinct narratives spanning different eras, from Neanderthals to futuristic societies, illustrating uncanny similarities in the human experience.
The story begins in 45,000 BCE, with a character named Thorn, who appears to struggle to provide for his family. This segment, however, is considered one of the film’s more monotonous sections. Just as viewers may start to lose interest in Thorn’s story, the narrative shifts to 2025, where Claire, portrayed by Rashida Jones, investigates a possibly significant ancient corpse—potentially the Missing Link.
Claire’s personal life introduces an additional layer of complexity as she navigates a romantic entanglement with a character named Greg from “Statistics.” This subplot echoes modern dilemmas of commitment but ultimately lacks the depth to resonate significantly with the audience. The film quickly transitions to the year 2417, introducing Coakley, played by Kate McKinnon. Coakley, described as a “longevity-enhanced” human, is tasked with establishing a new human colony with unfertilized embryos.
However, a sudden outbreak of a mysterious plant disease threatens this future environment, paralleling Claire’s mundane romantic storyline and Thorn’s primitive existence. The juxtaposition of these timelines evokes a sense of absurdity rather than coherence.
Despite its noble intentions, In the Blink of an Eye may struggle to win over audiences. Stanton, who faced challenges with previous projects such as John Carter, may find this sentimental venture limited in its potential, an experience that feels more regressive than progressive in the landscape of modern filmmaking.
Title: In the Blink of an Eye
Festival: Sundance (Premieres)
Director: Andrew Stanton
Screenwriter: Colby Day
Cast: Rashida Jones, Kate McKinnon, Daveed Diggs, Jorge Vargas, Tanaya Beatty
Distributor: Searchlight Pictures
Running Time: 1 hr 34 min
