6/10 – Director/Writer Mike Cahill returns with his most ambitious project to date with “I Origins”. Dr. Ian Gray (Michael Pitt) is a molecular biologist studying the evolution of the eye. He finds his work reflecting his life after a brief encounter with an exotic young woman (Astrid Bergès-Frisbey) who slips away from him. As his research continues years later with his lab partner Karen (Brit Marling), they make a stunning scientific discovery that has far reaching implications and complicates both his scientific and spiritual beliefs. Traveling half way around the world, he risks everything he has ever known to validate his theory. With all of that said, there isn’t a lot about this film that i can say without journeying into spoiler territory. I did enjoy the film and the original idea for the plot that never felt too out of grasp for the viewer. The topic of every person having different eyes is a theory that has rarely been opposed, but it’s certainly a theory to think what if? I will always give an original and thought provoking film like this extra credit, but i also find this film hard to recommend at times. For instance, the movie changes tone twice throughout the film. It starts out as a sentimental love story, then does a complete 180 into a psychological thriller, then back to the same sentiments that started the film. The second of these acts isn’t really needed, as nothing ever comes in the form of punishment to the doctors who may be recreating human eyes. At times it feels like the movie may have been subject to vicious rewrites and editing with an ending that sort of just happens without a satisfying climax. I was led on an everchanging journey of twists and turns with the plot, and it would’ve been nice to have an ending that justified the means of such a controversial topic. The material is thought provoking, but does involve a small measure of the suspending of disbelief. If you can get past it, “I Origins” might be the smartest film of 2014. Michael Pitt is always an actor who i felt deserved a lot more than the reflection of his filmography. As funny as it sounds, there is a kind of art to the small guy he possesses in all of his films. His character in this film is someone who loses everything, and then has his scientific beliefs challenged before his very eyes (Pardon the pun). It was also nice to see The Walking Dead’s Steven Yuen in a small role playing Pitt’s best friend and lab partner. The movie is very beautifully produced with pacing that always leaves the viewer glued regardless of the shift in tones. If the eyes are the windows to the soul, this film gives us a split second glance at a film that was good, but was one rewrite away from being great.