Eye For Film >> Movies >> Assessment (2005) Film Review
Assessment
Reviewed by: Angus Wolfe Murray
Take a beach, double it. Keep the camera moving. Cue cavemen, crusaders, samurai, Zulus, Redcoats, Indians, Tommies and GIs.
The idea is so simple, it's inspired.
A caveman (in natty M&S briefs under a goatskin poncho) finds an object in the sand. The scene is reminiscent of 2001: A Space Odyssey, except this object is smaller than an obelisk, more like a stainless steel tubular light fitting.
The caveman jogs/staggers down the beach and then all these other characters take the object, as if performing a relay race through the centuries.
There is a connection with war - they are all soldiers of one kind or another, except the Indians (not Red), who resemble post-colonial politicians - and they run forward towards... the future?
The film is limited by its single concept and shot from the front, without deviation, hesitation, but with oodles of repetition.
The soundtrack is by The Beta Band and this is their song.
Reviewed on: 05 Feb 2005