*. Sometimes movies get forced into unfair comparisons, but other times the shoe, unfortunately, fits. That’s the case with False Positive, which is a modern retelling of Rosemary’s Baby. It’s not just that the comparisons are unavoidable, but that none of them are in this film’s favour. They did try to go in a different direction, but nothing worked.
*. Lucy (Ilana Glazer) and Adrian (Justin Theroux) are a young couple not having any success having a baby. They go to see a fertility specialist named Dr. Hindle (Pierce Brosnan) who used to be one of Adrian’s teachers. I guess Adrian is a doctor himself but he doesn’t seem to do anything, or even know much about anything. But then he’s a man. The film has a randomly feminist point of view, which includes Lucy being treated unfairly at the ad agency she works at.
*. Obviously all is not right. Dr. Hindle oozes patriarchal menace, complemented by his fetish-doll assistant Gretchen Mol. Adrian doesn’t seem on the level after we see him using violent pornography to get a sample. It’s those men again!
*. Then there are Lucy’s nightmares and fantasies. The result of her foggy mommy-brain? The drugs she’s taking? Or is there really something sinister going on? Could it be that Dr. Hindle’s clinic is actually a front for a coven of devil-worshiping New Yorkers?
*. Nothing that interesting, unfortunately. There’s actually less going on here than meets the eye. Even the more provocative of Lucy’s visions (like witnessing a homosexual tryst in a hotel room) turn out to be just air. This left me disappointed and confused. Just what was I watching? With the talent involved, including director John Lee, I think a lot of people were expecting a sort of dark comedy. But it’s not funny. And it’s not scary. And its politics are muddled. Are all male doctors heels? And just because a Magical Negro character (the “midwife with soul”) says “I am not your Magical Negress” doesn’t make it so.
*. It will likely be uncomfortable viewing for many. Obstetric horror gets a lot of mileage out of stirrups and speculums and jelly (though I’ve always liked the jelly being rubbed on my belly when getting an ultrasound). But the story is just too layered with confusing dead ends and suggestions that are more intriguing than what (I think) is really going on. Plus, when you realize that every time something really disturbing starts to happen it’s inevitably going to be “just a dream,” the film is effectively neutered.
*. There are more ideas and motifs in play (like the twins/mirrors) than they seem to have known what to do with. I was actually looking forward to Lucy as Medea and pulling a double Andy Warhol at the end, but that’s another door that opens onto an empty room and they finally opt for a bit of gooey weirdness to wind things up with. I give everyone credit for trying, but the results are a classic example of too much and not enough.
Alex on Film 
How does your film selection process work?
I go to the library. I say, “this might be interesting.” I sign a DVD out. I bring it home. I am disappointed.
Also, the last few weeks I’ve been grabbing as many 2021 releases as I can because tomorrow is year-end awards day!
Oh, exciting, how many nominations has Jungle Cruise got?
All movies are nominated. I don’t see enough new releases to leave anyone out.
Do you regularly get ultra-sounds? Worried about an alien infestation or something?
I don’t think we should call them libraries any more. No offense, but “community center” is more accurate, what with offering movies as much as books and computer access for those who can’t afford it themselves. Laudable and I have no problems whatsoever with the change but I think a name change is just truth in advertising.
I had a polyp they wanted to check to see if it was growing. So far so good, but I did get a number of ultrasounds.
I guess the meaning of library has changed. Especially university libraries, where the kids don’t even look at the books anymore. But I’m OK with keeping the name. Community center sounds more like a place where you go to play badminton.
Huh, that’s actually pretty interesting. I’m so used to ultra-sounds being only about babies that its easy to forget it’s other applications.
But if that polyp starts telling you to watch movies like the Omen and its sequels, well, you might want to take action.
I agree, what a “library” is has changed and I think the name should change to reflect that. Maybe we could make a home movie about what to call them and make it go viral and get some awards from the UN and boatloads of cash for our visionary outlook. If not community center, are there any options for names you would entertain?
There’s a new library/community centre thingy in South Shields which is called ‘The Word’. It’s got a library, a business centre, a Storyworld, Fablab, Cafe, Interactive tables AND a telescope! All mod cons.
The Word! I’m going to look that up now.
The Word seems really interesting. They even have an exhibition on about fictional detectives. But I didn’t see any mention of Charlie.
I don’t know. “Information Centre” sounds a little too 1984.
😀
I am shocked that Pierce Brosnan has sunk so low. It was bad enough he did Mama Mia, but this is beneath.
He is really icky in this one too! If you’re a fan you might want to stay away.
He is a good actor, but then so is Nick Cage or Bruse Willis when they put their dignity before the money.
haha what a numpty, money before dignity- I’m eyerolling myself.
I might have been right 1st time. Sigh.
You and Booky are winning at the eyerolls!