The Anomaly
| The Anomaly | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Noel Clarke |
| Produced by |
|
| Written by |
Simon Lewis
Noel Clarke |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Tom Linden |
| Cinematography | David Katznelson |
| Edited by | Tommy Boulding |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Box office | £11.6 million |
The Anomaly is a 2014 science fiction action thriller film directed, co-produced by and starring Noel Clarke. The low-budget flick also features Ian Somerhalder, Alexis Knapp and Brian Cox.[1]
Plot
The film is set in a futuristic setting involving a battle over control of the mind and of cutting-edge biotechnology. Traumatised ex-soldier Ryan Reeve (Noel Clarke) wakes up in the back of a van[2] next to a young boy who is being held prisoner. He frees the boy and must work out what is happening in bursts of consciousness each lasting less than ten minutes, while his mind is switched repeatedly to a parallel existence under mind control of which he has no recollection.[3][4] He teams up with the mysterious "Dana" (Alexis Knapp) as he battles a conspiracy known as "Anomaly" led by Harkin Langham (Ian Somerhalder) and his father Dr. Langham (Brian Cox).
In an interview, Somerhalder likened the film as a blend of Memento meets The Bourne Identity.[5]
Cast
- Noel Clarke as Pvt. Ryan Reeve/Rory Thompson/Anomaly #66
- Alexis Knapp as Diane/Dana/Daisy
- Brian Cox as Dr. Lloyd Langham
- Ian Somerhalder as Agent Harkin Langham/Anomaly #X
- Luke Hemsworth as Agent Richard Elkin/Anomaly #13
- Ali Cook as Agent Travis/Anomaly #97[6]
Production
The film was produced in the UK in 2013. Clarke performed his own stunts, modifying his diet and receiving fight training for the purpose.[7]
Distribution
The first official trailer was released on 19 April 2014. The film was shown at the Edinburgh Film Festival in June 2014[4][8] and entered general release in the UK and the Republic of Ireland through Universal Pictures on 4 July.[3]
Reception
The film was poorly received. Mark Kermode of The Observer called it "ambitious but uneven".[9] Other critics described it as "hilariously naff science-fiction mularkey"[10] and "a peculiar Brit flick best described as a noble failure"[11] and referred to "tangled conception and tortuously opaque execution"[8] and to "meag[re] rewards for those willing to endure its laborious convolutions".[4]
References
- ↑ Young, Neil. "'The Anomaly': Edinburgh Review". The Holloywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ↑ Jake Perlman, "'The Anomaly' trailer: Noel Clarke directs himself in new sci-fi action thriller", Inside Movies, Entertainment Weekly, 16 April 2014.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "'The Anomaly': Noel Clarke fights time in sci-fi puzzle", cinema, Euronews, 7 July 2014.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Neil Young, "'The Anomaly': Edinburgh Review", Hollywood Reporter, 18 June 2014.
- ↑ Dibdin, Emma. "Ian Somerhalder: 'The Anomaly is Memento meets The Bourne Identity'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ↑ Nathalie Raffray, "Magician Ali Cook turns spy for Noel Clarke’s The Anomaly", Ham & High, 10 July 2014.
- ↑ "Noel Clarke gave up pizzas for The Anomaly", Belfast Telegraph, 6 July 2014 (video).
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Guy Lodge, "Film Review: 'The Anomaly': Derivative and incomprehensible, Noel Clarke's shoestring sci-fi actioner doesn't live up to its title", Variety, 17 June 2014.
- ↑ Mark Kermode, "The Anomaly review – ambitious but uneven sci-fi romp", The Observer, 5 July 2014.
- ↑ Allan Hunter, "The Anomaly: Cringe-worthy confusion paying homage to all sci-fi films", The Express, 4 July 2014.
- ↑ David Edwards, "The Anomaly review: Noel Clarke delivers a peculiar film best described as a noble failure", The Mirror, 4 July 2014.