Cortex

A great director brought a unconventional uncommercialised Movie that high highjacks your eyes.

I really do enjoy these dark, rainy, psychological thrillers, so I gave this one a shot.

This movie has it all in the atmospheric and visual department, it's well executed and good looking. But unfortunately, it lacks in character reasoning and overall story department.

I mean, the idea seems good, even though it is not new, but the Sci-Fi element doesn't seem to be well-thought-out, it's a bit superficial and simplistic. In the beginning movies seems to promise a complex entanglement, but it turns out to be a simple and straight forward one. While the rules of what is going on are not defined strictly and seem to be suited for the needs of the plot here and there, which makes it look like poor writing.

There is no real build up for the antagonists, weak personalities and characteristics make them look silly, while I would expect them to be serious, considering the overall nature of this movie.

The ending - I just didn't like it, partially due to pure execution, partially due to its nature. Yes, it's an ending you would've expect, but it doesn't seem to be good or bad, while also it doesn't seem to be unique - on the contrary, it's pure predictable.

I feel like originally there was more to this story, but then they cut it up and made it smaller, leaving some loose ends, which could positively impact the buildup, which feels lacking.

Still I did enjoy it, like some good music where you don't even care about the words. It was the same for me with this movie: I enjoyed the atmosphere, even though the overall story part felt weak.

German Genre movies are not something we see often. And when they are made as well as this one, it is even better. Moritz Bleibtreu is almost a guarantee for quality, now also behind the camera. Now the movie itself or rather the story is or can be perceived as flawed to a degree. Some may not be very fond of the movie not answering/spoon feeding you answers of questions it raises.

There are certain things that probably will only be clear or clearer with a second viewing. As it is whether you know what the twist of the movie is or not, it will be quite the ride. It may even be better to be a little prepared by knowing where the movie is heading. Still there are quite the confusing scenes in it, which I think make the movie and the story even more intriguing (like characters literally popping up, the mirror theme and so much more).

And then the movie probably has the perfect ending. At least I think it is - some may feel it is pandering or they might not like it at all, but the mood it sets, the vibe the whole thing has ... the uncertanty it gives the viewer - the style it is shot (with some back and forths in the editing) ... well it's good to say the least

I watched "Cortex" because I think Moritz Bleibtreu is a great german actor making great movies. But this movie is hard to beat when it comes to weirdness.

Maybe I have to watch the film again and take notes in order to figure out the story. This film is exhausting, I permanently had to look for context while watching it. And it's boring.... for example, if someone is asking the young guy something, he basically doesn't answer. And if he answers, then he is doing it after like 15 seconds ... No wonder he is always been yelled at. The same goes for Moritz Bleibtreu, he rarely speaks ... Cortex feels like the try of making a mix of Inception and Memento. But I could be wrong since I didn't fully understand the story. I hope Moritz stops making such strenuous films.

I was also reluctant to watch EYES OF LAURA MARS, several decades ago, because the basic plot also scared me a bit, a scare to leave the film before its end, the scare to get bored, puzzled. But I stayed and finally enjoyed it. Here, the story is not the same but not so far from the Irving Kershner's movie starring Faye Dunaway. This film, which I review now, is German. So rare. Such a shame that I so cartesian, because this crime flick from Germany is obviously made by a gifted director, and the casting is also convincing. This is taut, rough but this complex plot for me asks for a second viewing. Anyway, I recommend it.