Movie: “Knowing”
Director: Alex Proyas
Release Date: March 20, 2009.
If the earth would end today, would you really want to know? That is one of the central questions to “Knowing,” a sci-fi potboiler of disaster films, religious symbolism and fatherhood.
“Knowing” begins with college professor John Koestler (Nicholas Cage, in full-blown “National Treasure” mode) as he struggles with the loss of his wife and this seemingly random world he inhabits and is forced to dwell in.
Right off the bat, his belief in a random and cold world is thrown into upheaval by the revelation of random numbers that somehow points out the dates, location and number of deaths of past disasters. With his son in tow, John tries to follow the trail of numbers that may or may not lead to the end of the world. But we know better, don’t we?
Beginning with promise and a mood reminiscent of Hitchcock, director Alex Proyas utilizes selectively sped-up photography and cold lighting to bring us into the world where chance and determinism duke it out by throwing planes, trains and automobiles at the screen. As we’ve seen studios do with past films, the visual effects are sloppy at times most likely due to studio deadlines. Like Proyas’ last film “I, Robot,” “Knowing” lacks a consistent tone and suffers from having simply too much potential to deal with. It doesn’t explore the thoughts: it settles for the ideas simply being there.
There are strong overtones connecting the disasters to terrorism-related attacks, and the result feels contrived and even a bit reckless. Instead of focusing on individual reactions to the disasters, we are treated to slow-motion shots and burning bodies as the wreckage spews forth destruction that, oddly, reminds me of “Transformers.” The visceral thrill of seeing planes crash and trains derail is indeed fantastic, but rarely has disaster looked this entertaining and cool.
This is not “Watchmen,” where the translation of spiritual and philosophical ideas far outweighs the narrative flaws. Instead of strong questions, all “Knowing” does is pick and choose insincere straw men arguments in order to blow down John’s agnostic worldview and send us along on our merry way. Although the ideas of determination and chance are inherently fascinating and beg discussion, there are better films out there to review and discuss.
There is a difference between respecting ideas and abusing them, and “Knowing” abuses the idea that there can be doubt. It sacrifices its character’s beliefs simply to prove them wrong and provide a religious experience that is forced. All of this resulted in a bitter taste I could not be rid of.
A mediocre premise with great potential ultimately succumbs to uninspired genre clichés and a disdain for the ideas it tries so hard to bring forth.
