Coherence

Coherence is currently playing at the Edinburgh Film Festival and is a small independent sci-fi thriller.  It was directed, in his first feature film, by James Ward Byrkit, who is best known for his role as a writer on Rango.  Shot inside his own home, he decided against the use of a traditional script, instead just mapping out the major plot points.  This allowed the actors to improvise and brings a realist feel to the dialogue.

Set around one dinner party, that is taking place on a night when a comet is passing overhead, it is probably unsurprising to find that events quickly spiral out of control, in a way that incorporates everything from time travel to alternate realities.  That’s as far as I’ll go in terms of plot, because this is one of those movies where the less you know the better and to be honest I’m not sure if I entirely got it myself.

You see Coherence is far from coherent.  This is a plot that you are not going to grasp and to be honest will not hold up to any serious study.  However, that doesn’t actually matter, because as you watch this movie you don’t have the time to worry about whether it 100% holds together, you are too busy sitting on the edge of your seat worrying about what will happen next.

The performances throughout are strong, with Nicholas Brendon reminding you why you fell in love with him back in his Buffy days.  While the dynamic of this incestuous friendship group, with years of history and stories, feels real and their conversation has that annoying edge that any old group of friends will have to someone that is coming into it from the outside.  This realist edge adds a lot to proceedings, as you get the feeling that this story and it’s after effects will continue long after this particular night.  While all of this ignores the fact that is also manages to be incredibly funny at times, with the natural quirks and issues that these people all bring to the table, often bringing out the absurdity in their situation.

It’s unlikely that Coherence will gain a wide cinema release and a quick glance at their website suggests they are more likely to go down the online streaming route, but in whatever form it does make it’s way to our shores, it is well worth seeking out.