Mark my words, you will spend the first half of “Upstream Color” wondering what the heck is going on. And if you’re like me, you’ll spend the second half making a series of observations or connections that may or may not exist. But all of that is okay because by the end I realized I had watched something intelligent and strikingly original. There is nothing Hollywood about this picture. It’s independent cinema in its purest form. But don’t let that fool you. This is also one of the most visually entrancing pictures to come out of 2013.
To call this Shane Carruth’s movie would be an epic understatement. Carruth serves as director, writer, editor, cinematographer, co-producer, co-star, and he composed the music. “Upstream Color” is only his second film but his first since 2004. When speaking of Carruth comparisons have been made to Terrence Malick and we see the validity of the comparisons in “Upstream Color”. His penchant for filming nature, his use of sound, the sparse dialogue, and his sweeping poetic camera feel heavily influenced by Malick’s work.
It’s impossible to put “Upstream Color” into a box and giving too much of the plot away would be stripping the film of some of its allure. It’s a very abstract movie with a haunting and hypnotic feel that permeates the entire project. And drawing in your senses is clearly one of Carruth’s main objectives. I’ll just say this, a young woman (Amy Seimetz) is drugged by a mysterious man (known only as The Thief) while at a nightclub. The drug is actually a mind-controlling parasite which The Thief exploits in order to rob her. Later she is drawn to a man (played by Carruth) who may or may not have shared a very similar experience.
There are several other mysterious elements and bits of imagery that are cleverly used to peel back the film’s meaning. But even after you’ve dissected the movie in your mind, thematic interpretation may still be a bit challenging. But that’s one of the things I appreciated about the movie. It doesn’t lay everything out all nice and neat for the audience. It engages you and challenges your perceptions of what you are seeing. Interestingly enough, that also leads to one of the movie’s only flaws. It does reach a point where it gets a bit bogged down in its artful approach. It’s a point where the connections and revelation seems to slow down and the film turns into a series of well shot but drawn out sequences.
That aside, “Upstream Color” is a treat. Shane Carruth shows an amazing eye for cinema and he creates a movie experience guaranteed to be unlike anything else you’ve seen in a while. And I haven’t even talked about Amy Seimetz. Talk about a wonderful performance. Now be forewarned, this is a movie that may not appeal to the masses and it has flown under many radars. But for me it shows the diversity of high-quality movies we saw in 2013. It’s definitely worth checking out. I loved it.
Keith & the Movies 
This is a very hard film to actually “get”, but I don’t think you have to in order to feel emotionally connected to it. It’s just a very strange movie is all. But strange in the thought-provoking way that isn’t used for just nonsense like David Lynch’s movies. Good review Keith.
Thanks man! Strange indeed but during my second viewing so many little pieces fell into place. It’s such a unique mix of drama, thrillers, and sci-fi.
Sounds interesting.
It’s incredibly different and its actually quite odd. In fact I can see that strangeness turning off some people. I was totally wrapped up in though. It was on my Top 10 of 2013 list.
I want to check it out.
Couldn’t agree more. It’s a fascinating and beautiful film even though it’s hard to work out what’s going on (I have to admit I paused to check the Wikipedia plot summary a couple of times). I haven’t really seen anything like it, despite the occasional Malick-style touches. Had a similar experience with Under The Skin recently; although they are both sci-fi films they’re unlike any other sci-fi I’ve seen, and wildly different from each other!
Love hearing that you enjoyed it too. I have heard some say they really disliked the film. I can see that response. Personally I thought it was wonderful in its own strange but utterly engrossing way.
I agree with everything you say. Its a fantastic film and i still have no idea what was going on!
It’s crazy stuff, isn’t it? It’s a trippy mindbender but well worth the effort to understand it. I’m like you, there are still things that I just don’t get but that’s one thing that I appreciated the most.
Great review Keith. Have had this sitting on my shelf to watch for ages now. Really should get around to it.
Absolutely need to see it. It’s unlike anything you’ve seen. I promise you that. If you do, let me know what you think.
Will do Keith. Tis a long weekend coming up over here, so I might try and squeeze a viewing in. Will write up a review if I do.
Great review, Keith. Nothing like the challenge of a well made mind-bender. Shane Carruth sounds multi-talented and deserving attention.
Yes ma’am. If you haven’t watched it make some time. I would love to hear your thoughts. It’s certainly unique.
I’m definitely curious to see this, Keith.
Let me know what you think. It’s so different and demanding of your concentration.
This is one of my all-time favourites. Your review definitely did it justice, even though it’s a hard film to describe. Carruth is one talented dude.
Thank you so much. So glad to hear you loved it. Such a cool and unique film. I had such a good time with it.
I have a feeling we will have the same deductions about this film. But I have to see it first to confirm. Great review 😀
Thanks so much. Please come back and tell me what you think. It’s such a vastly different movie from anything else out there.
Terrific review Keith, I look forward to seeing this.
Thanks a lot! It is well worth your time.
After not being all that impressed with Primer, I’m still willing to give UC a go. I’vbe been hearing this is his better work anyway. Great review Keith
Thanks man. It’s a challenge and I can see where some may not respond well to it at all. I went for it completely. It ended up in my Top 10 from last year.