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I’m Your Man: Digital Dating and Loving Lavishly

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You can’t buy love. But can you build it?

Set in the present day, I’m Your Man tells the story of Alma (Maren Eggert), a scientist who is offered a job evaluating a new line of humanoid companions. After her boss manages to convince her with some mild bribery, Alma agrees to bring the cybernetic Tom (Dan Stevens) into her home for a period of three weeks in order to ascertain their value as romantic mates and potentially the rights they deserve sociologically. Although she’s skeptical (and even resistant), Tom never wavers from his desire to make her happy, forcing Alma to re-examine what she believes to be the nature of love.

Co-written and directed by Maria Schrader, I’m Your Man is a fun and philosophical film that asks some big questions in surprising ways. While the film could potentially unravel due to its high concepts, the film manages to sell its premise and draw the audience in with genuine affection. Admittedly, much of the film’s effectiveness is largely due to the utter charisma of Stevens, who sells Tom with such adorable charisma that you never really question the fact that this woman in this robot seem to be falling in love. (In fact, in the film’s greatest achievement, you’re even rooting for them as a couple.)

At the same time, this is very much a film that wants to explore what love actually means. While the film acknowledges the social implications and dangers of becoming too obsessed with items which aren’t authentic, there is a charm that plays out in this relationship as well. Can a person love a thing as much as it does another human? In truth, this could be argued that this is already the case. If the act of love involves in our investment of time, than where we put our focus should be indicative of what we care most about. For example, rather than invest in our in-person relationships, we frequently spend our days connecting more deeply with our cell phones then we do with those around us. While it seems counter-intuitive, the nature of love has never necessitated that our hearts focus on another living person. (After all, didn’t one say that the ‘love of money is a root of all kinds of evil’?) If love is based on an emotional attachment (even an unhealthy one), I’m Your Man wants to investigate the boundaries of that argument.

What’s most interesting about Alma is that her relationship with Tom truly is beneficial to her soul. When she’s with him, she feels safer and she is more in touch with her own feelings. Because of his programming, Tom will always be affectionate, caring and instill emotional value into Alma. Starved for healthy friendships that encourage and empower, her time with Tom fills her with a security and joy that she is unable to find with others. In short, Tom makes Alma happy (“Isn’t being happy a good thing?” Tom asks repeatedly) As a result, the film makes a compelling argument for this type of connection, one without flaws or missteps.

However, as she grows closer to her robotic companion, Alma recognizes that loving an object has become a primarily selfish act. She’s not wrong in this conclusion. The type of love that has been programmed into Tom is one that allows its owner to focus entirely on being told how wonderful they are. Rather than challenge them towards personal growth, this romance becomes entirely self-validating and one-sided. The healthiest relationships ask both parties to offer grace to their spouse while, at the same time, accepting grace from them. There is an unconditional give and take to love that acknowledges imperfections in both partners and says that they are acceptable to them anyways. 

Last time I checked, my iPhone can’t do that. (Though maybe there’s an app for that.)

Surprisingly witty and compelling, I’m Your Man is a strange blend of sci-fi and romance that absolutely makes you fall in love with its charms. Thanks to a delightful performance by Stevens and some compelling conversations about the true nature of love, the film surprisingly manages to sweep you off your feet while also forcing you to re-examine your priorities.

Now, back to checking my notifications.

I’m Your Man premiered at TIFF ’21 on Monday, September 13th, 2021

Adventures of a Mathematician: Adding Up the Losses

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Set against the backdrop of World War II, Adventures of a Mathematician tells the true story of Stanislav Ulam (Philippe Tlokinski), a Polish immigrant and mathematicians who emigrated to the United States during the 1930s. Hired by the military, Ulam’s incredible intellect made him an essential member of the team tasked with developing both the atomic and hydrogen bombs, as well as the first computer.

While Adventures of a Mathematician feels like somewhat standard fair for a biopic, some particularly enjoyable work by lead Tlokinski keeps the film from dragging. Written and directed by Thor Klein, the film becomes an engaging and surprisingly emotional film that underscores the importance of human life, especially at a time of war. By following the work of Ulam during the 1930s and 40s, Klein brings a unique spin on the events surrounding the discovery of the atomic bomb. Instead of focusing on the wartime efforts on the field of battle, he instead spends his time with those who never carried a gun themselves. Choosing to focus on Ulam’s emotional journey and family relationships, he is able to tell a story that feels so much more human, without getting bogged down by set pieces or special effects. (After all, who would’ve expected a film about the atomic bomb to feature no explosive footage?) 

The most surprising aspect of Mathematician is its conscience. Despite the fact that Ulam and his team worked tirelessly to create weapons which changed the landscape of the world, the film goes to great lengths to also show these men grapple with the ramifications of their actions. One example of this comes when the team of scientists responsible for developing the atomic bomb gather after the desolation of Nagasaki. Despite the fact that they have supposedly accomplished their goal, Ulam and his teammates are quietly despondent, broken by the devastating losses that they are responsible for creating. Whereas past films of this nature have celebrated the ingenuity of its developers or honouring American pride for defeating their enemies, Mathematician sits in the sadness of the moment. Recognizing that their goal was never to cause suffering, this group of men are left mourning the deaths of the innocent. Having believed that the US would only use the nuclear bomb as a deterrent, they are shattered by the heavy losses. (“Aren’t we supposed to be having a party or something?” one scientist laments.) For them, the loss of human life far outweighs the importance of their discovery.

In this way, Mathematician highlights the moral responsibility of knowledge. Rooted at the heart of the film is Ulam’s struggle to reconcile what he knows he can do with whether or not he should do it. To him, science is the opportunity to do the impossible yet those around him consistently misappropriate his knowledge to do evil. As a result, Ulam wrestles with the implications of applying his knowledge in ways that could be misused. While Mathematician never suggests that scientific advancement is problematic, Ulam’s journey points to the fact that there is always a moral question that hovers over their discoveries. Although Ulam believes that the scientific works that matter most are those that better the lives of others and keep people safe, there are those who are willing to abuse them for the sake of power.

Backed by a likable performance from its star, Adventures of a Mathematician is an entertaining look at history from an alternative perspective. As he leans into the moral implications of the discovery, Klein offers a different look at the lives of those that have created weapons of mass destruction and the burden that it placed on their souls. Most importantly though, the film is willing to ask whether or not having all the mathematical equations outweighs having to add up the losses that result.

Adventures of a Mathematician was available on VOD on Friday, October 1st, 2021.

Justin Bieber: Our World – The Boy Becomes a Man

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Let’s be serious. You’ve already decided how you feel about this.

For over a decade now, Justin Bieber has been both adored and despised by the general public. For some, it was because of his music. For others, his antics as a 17-year-old with the world at his feet. He’s been criticized, analyzed and despised but, at the same time, admired and adored by his fans.

But everyone had an opinion.

Now 27-years-old and married, Bieber is a man who wants to move past his impetuous youthful years. Admittedly he still remains a divisive performer, though primarily by those who refuse to forget those tumultuous years of his youth. (He even subjected himself to a Celebrity Roast a few years ago, allowing others to poke fun at his image.) With his new concert doc, Justin Bieber: Our World on Amazon Prime, Bieber wants to remind the public of his talent while demonstrating that he’s become a different man.

Set on the rooftop of the Beverley Hilton Hotel on New Year’s Eve 2020, Justin Bieber: Our World is the pop superstar’s first concert in three years. Performing an outdoor concert in the midst of the pandemic for 240 guests and millions more streaming online, Bieber performs an endless string of hits from his collection, old and new, while observing strict COVID protocols. Directed by Michael D. Ratner, Our World may focus on the music but it also allows Bieber to speak for himself through backstage footage and quieter moments with his wife, Hailey.

Whether you love his music or hate it, one can’t deny that the kid has loads of musical talent. (To be fair, there will be those who deny that… but they’re incorrect.) With this in mind, World proves exactly how prominent his musical dominance has been over all these years. Featuring hit after hit, the performance is a reminder that his pop dominance has been consistent and constant. (Be honest. You know more words to Baby and Love Yourself than you care to admit.) Despite his massive pyrotechnics and special effect, he has a grown as a performer in his ability to connect with his audience, even in larger scale performances. Most importantly though, there’s something about him when he’s onstage that feels so much more genuine now that he did in his youth. Professing his love for his wife or simply speaking to his fans feel honest and even humble.

While one wishes that the film offered more insight into the young man’s mind or his redemption tour in recent years, World does give a taste of who he wants to be seen as by the public. With the limited behind-the-scenes footage that we get, Bieber is portrayed as a young man who truly cares about those around him. The title ‘Our World‘ is deliberate in that there’s a connectedness and support of others that pervades the film. From his wife to his entourage and staff, Bieber has genuinely deep relationships with his team. (Further emphasizing this is the fact that the film goes out of its way to remind the viewer that Bieber’s performance went by the strictest of COVID protocols in order to ensure the safety of his fans and crew.) Carrying himself with maturity, the boy wonder has finally grown up into a man who is doing his best to live with honour. This portrait of Bieber is of a man who is going to prioritize things that truly matter, whether it’s walking with his wife, wearing masks, prayer or his mental health. This is not the youth we once [thought we] knew. He is hard working, loving and, most importantly, humble.

While Justin Bieber: Our World may not win any new fans to his music, it certainly does portray the pop prince in a new (and healthier) light. Though many of us have pointed to him over the years as an example of the destructive power of fame, maybe it’s time for us to admit that our view of Bieber has been tainted by his past. From the age of 15, this young man has been a bonified hit-machine and Our World is a reminder of just how truly talented he really is.

Hopefully, it’s not too late for us to say sorry.

Justin Bieber: Our World is available on Amazon Prime on Friday, October 8th, 2021.

Night Raiders: The Future is History

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Set in the year 2043, Night Raiders takes place in a world where disenfranchised cities in post-war North America are controlled by a maniacal military organization called The Emerson Group. Under their regime, children are considered property of the State and forced into their children’s academy. Having been on the run for years, Niska (Elle-Maija Tailfeathers) and her 11-year-old daughter, Waseese (Brooklyn Letexier-Hart) have managed to stay under the radar by keeping a low profile. However, after Waseese is captured by The Emerson Group, Niska connects with an underground band of vigilantes and joins in their plot to infiltrate the facility and free her daughter.

Written and directed by Danis Goulet, Night Raiders is a sci-fi film with a historical edge. Co-produced by Taika Waititi, there’s a fire to this film that demands attention.  Sharply written and executed, Raiders is an entertaining thrill ride from start to finish. More importantly though, Goulet brings a unique voice into the science fiction genre that allows her to tackle Indigenous stories in a way that connects with everyone. Though its set in the world of sci-fi, Night Raiders still resonates with the real world. Goulet has created a tale that maintains a certain distance from its subject matter yet still feels powerful and poignant. Intense and engaging, Goulet creates a compelling metaphor for the pain of a people group that have often been silenced and ignored. As such, despite the fact that it takes place 20 years into the future, its themes feel current and important in today’s cultural conversations surrounding the history of Indigenous peoples.

Though its set in the world of sci-fi, Night Raiders still resonates with the real world. Intense and engaging, Goulet creates a compelling piece that expresses the pain of a people group that have often been silenced and ignored. As a metaphor for the poisonous environment of residential schools and their effect on the Indigenous communities, Raiders leans into the concept of erasure. With an emphasis on controlling the population, the Emerson Group longs to build a country built on the backs of sameness. As captives, children are indoctrinated into a neutralized culture. Dressing their children in gray tones and keeping them in white cages, Emerson brainwashes their conscripted children with phrasing of dedication to the cause. Colour is eliminated wherever possible with the hope of creating the sense of a unified society. As their indoctrination takes hold, the memories and livelihoods of these children are erased at the hands of the Emerson psychological machine. Similar to the leadership which tormented the children of residential schools, the Emerson Group is concerned only with eliminating differences for the sake of their own ideologies. (It’s also worth noting that everyone who represents Emerson is white while children and families who are subject to their cruelty are all visible minorities.)

With an eye on history, Raiders also very much looks towards the present and the future by speaking into the challenges of breaking free. Although Niska is challenged to step up and take command, her years of oppression keep her under a blanket of fear. Having been stuck under the weight of the Emerson tyranny for so long, she is reluctant to join in the fight against them. Although she yearns for her daughter’s freedom, she believes that the revolution is not her battle. (After all, what can she do about it?) In this way, Niska’s struggle mirrors our current culture as Indigenous populations are being called to step forward and share their stories of suffering. With every traumatic tale that is told, the truth about systemic oppression continues to come to light, allowing for change. However, this bearing of souls is always a challenge, especially after years of psychological oppression. As such, Niska’s journey also resonates at a time when the Indigenous population has finally found the courage to speak out against those that have hurt them in the past.

At the same time, Goulet also demonstrates what’s at stake when she highlights the power of the children themselves. Whereas adults have the opportunity to fight the today’s battles, Raiders acknowledges that their struggle will allow the next generation to have a greater understanding of justice and equity for the future. Although the children require rescue at the hands of the Emerson Group, the film also points to the fact that there is a strength within them that bodes well for future generations. As a result, Goulet balances Raiders with dual perspectives by examining the importance of both an adult awakening and children uprising.

For Goulet, both generations are needed because both voices matter.

To hear our interview with director Danis Goulet & Elle-Maija Tailfeathers, click here (audio) and here (YouTube).

Night Raiders premiered at TIFF and is available in theatres on Friday, October 8th, 2021.

8.01 Writing Back to DEAR EVAN HANSEN

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Directed by Stephen Chbosky, DEAR EVAN HANSEN tells the story of a young man who write letters to himself in order to provide a way of dealing with his mental health issues. However, when one of his letters is mistaken for the last words of another teen who takes his own life, Evan finds himself trapped in a lie that deceives the youth’s family and his friends. This week, the Movies You Missed crew convene to dig into EVAN HANSEN’s moral compass, the film’s depiction of mental health and who they believe the true villain of the film may be.

You can watch the episode on YouTube and stream on podomatic, Alexa (via Stitcher), Spotify, Google Play or Amazon Podcasts! Or, you can download the ep on Apple Podcasts!

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

8.01 Dear Evan HansenDownload