The one thing you should know about Calvin Reeder’s “The A-Frame” is that – according to Variety – it’s a scifi disappointment. In other words, it’s a film that tries too hard to be deep and thought-provoking, but ultimately falls flat on its face.
An interesting thing about this film is how it struggles to balance its themes of confronting death and escaping it. On one hand, we have Donna, a sassy 20-something using humor to cope with her terminal illness. On the other hand, we have Sam, an eager scientist with some questionable methods for curing said illness. But instead of fully exploring these themes and characters, the film opts for awkward dialogue and vague characterization.
Why is The A-Frame a scifi disappointment? Evidently, this film’s use of sci-fi concepts are mere window dressing. We’re bombarded with terms like parallel realities and multiversal entanglement, but they never truly impact the story. It’s like they were thrown in as an afterthought just to make the film seem more profound.
And let’s talk about the visuals – or lack thereof. Reeder’s framing choices are as noncommittal as a teenager trying to choose a college major. And don’t even get me started on the “intimate” moments in the film. They’re so superficial and devoid of any real emotion or understanding that they might as well have been shot by a cardboard cutout.
But fear not, there is a glimmer of hope in the form of Rishi, Donna’s friend played by Nik Dodani. His performance brings some much-needed life to the otherwise bland and forgettable cast. Too bad he’s given minimal screen time and is basically relegated to “temporary focus” status.
And let’s not forget the pointless body horror detour. Because nothing screams “deep and meaningful” like a random scene of gross-out visuals with no real purpose or impact on the story.
In conclusion, save yourself the headache (and boredom) and skip “The A-Frame.” It’s a disjointed mess that tries to pass off as “art,” but ends up being nothing but a snooze fest. Trust me, watching paint dry would be a more entertaining use of your time. At least then you might catch some glimpses of different dimensions through those kaleidoscope transitions. Or better yet, take a nap during prime viewing hours – it’ll probably leave you with less confusion than trying to decipher this scifi disappointment.
