Review of Reminiscence (2021) by Stream2Bigscree — 23 Aug 2021

Do you remember the time when we fell in love? Do you remember the time that you first read Stream to Big Screen, girl! OH AYE! Sorry, I got caught up in my memories of that song. Anyway, this weekend a new movie premiered in theaters and on HBO Max, Reminiscence. Also known as The Jade Earring, Reminiscence is a mystery/thriller/love story that follows Hugh Jackman as Nick Bannister, a private investigator of the mind as he navigates the alluring world of the past when his life is changed by new client Mae. A simple case becomes an obsession after she disappears and he fights to learn the truth about her.

I know what you're already thinking. An investigator of the mind?! Yes, it's reminiscent of an all time great, Inception. Is this a review within a review within a review? No. We are just talking about how Reminiscence has borrowed a storyline but with a strangely unoriginal while nicely executed story. And by nicely executed, I don't mean how slowly this movie unravels so obviously. I mean who doesn't love a who done it? The story unfolds in a way that you feel each character. I found myself either lusting after Mae (Rebecca Ferguson) or eagerly seeking answers like Hugh. One might say that was just the actors doing a really good job, which I won't deny. Let's not talk about how Thandie Newtown was grossly misused and underutilized. I also think it is a testament to how generally good the direction and the writing are. With that said, I feel like the movie could have been cut a bit to make it quicker and more hard hitting. Of course, there are times where we need to linger but there were definitely times where the movie held on too long to a part we don't really care about.

The biggest misstep of this movie comes with the scenery though. Why in the heck did the world need to have water everywhere?! Honestly, this movie only had one cool scene in the water and the rest of the movie could've been dry. It sticks out like a sore thumb and quite frankly makes zero sense. Why does everyone have to have soggy socks and athlete's foot? Sorry, I may be looking at this too realistically but the water setting is the biggest why the heck was this necessary at the end of the movie. The other misstep of this movie is that while the twist and turns of the story are pretty good, the result is just so unsatisfying. I feel like there was no payoff at the end of the movie. The movie does give a nice, loving ending, but the chase for the Maltese falcon of who done it was just so... who cares.

Reminiscence, at the end of the day, is a solid seductive toxic relationship with an okay who done it. The actors make the movie worth watching with their chemistry and delivery. Yet, at the end of the day, half of the movie seems completely unimportant. Reminiscence is a nice ride for a streaming movie, but I could see how a moviegoer would be disappointed. Streamers grab yourself a bowl while those of you loving the movie theaters again don't brave the Delta for this flick but run to HBO Max.