Now here’s an original thriller that’s only had a few resemblances to others over the years. It’s called Empathy and the film’s a jaw dropper as it plays out during the hour and a half. The Sci-fi may be a little farfetched, but after all so was the cell phone a number of years ago. Now available on VOD and limited engagements in theaters.
Joel (Zack Robidas), a crack account salesman in the money investment business, hears the bad news that the company he’s managing, GTI Genius Technology Integrated, has been outed as a fraud. Packing his bags, he and wife Jessica (Kathy Searle) head out of town and go back East to stay with her parents until things cool down.
Still very unnerved about the whole ordeal that included him being dropped by his list of big investors, he walks into a local bar. There he runs into Nicolas (Eric Berryman) an old classmate of his from the high school he attended. Nicholas has heard of the problem with his company and they have a drink together. After some idle chat he offers Joel an opportunity to get an investor in his company XVR, Xtreme Virtual Reality.
The idea peaks his interest but admits that he would have trouble getting an investor since the fiasco with GTI. The next day however he shows up at the office of XVR wanting to see how the virtual reality works and meets the inventor Lester (Jay Klaitz). Lester hooks Joel up to the XVR and shows the wonder of it all. Now impressed with how it can change people’s perspective on the world, Joel comes up with an investor.
The film takes some very weird turns, is packed with surprises and has an unexpected twist that will make you cringe. Director Yedidya Gorsetman spools his film out at a nice pace getting all of his characters involved early on, so you know how they may or may not stand in the order of things. As he introduces the XVR it will make you wonder if it could really happen. But don’t get caught up in the cool process as there is much more to come.
To get a nice feel for the movie Gorsetman uses black and white because color would tend to distract from the meat of the story. Most of the scenes are shot at night or in low light so it’s a good technique for this film. After the first ten minutes you probably won’t even notice and for me it really didn’t matter or take away from the storyline.
The acting by the whole cast is very good and I especially like Zack Robidas who reminded me a bit of Brendan Fraser. He gives a convincing performance as a man who has lost everything and then turns his head in another direction and finds new hope. His Joel runs the gamut of ups and downs throughout the film making it a gripping motion picture.
Joel’s co-characters are played Jay Klaitz as Lester and Eric Berryman as Nicholas. It’s Berryman’s first film on the big screen and he nails the role of the ex-schoolmate that entices Joel to get XVR the money it needs to start up. He’s pretty cagey at first and as the film plays out becomes a big part of the finale. As for Klaitz he’s been around the block and has shown his ability in several TV shows before landing the role here. His Lester is the key to the invention and puts Joel in the thick of things so the investor will come through. When things start to go wrong however, he takes control of the situation and turns the film askew.
Empathy has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains language, violence/brutality, gore and some drug use.
FINAL ANALYSIS: An exciting and very cool take on virtual reality makes this a winner. (4 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Zack Robidas, Kathy Searle, Jay Klaitz, Eric Berryman,
Director: Yedidya Gorsetman
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Running Time: 1 hr. 37 min.
VOD Date: September 27, 2019
Original Theatrical Release Date: September 13, 2019
Language: English
Subtitles: Check your VOD carrier
Distributed by: Dark Star
Released on: Black and White, VOD, also in Select Theaters
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
