Sound of My Voice (*** out of ****)

Minimalist science-fiction films aren't too common, but often hauntingly lovely. Instead of huge special affects, they focus on a core concept and the emotions surrounding it. It's not necessarily better but I personally find myself less let down by this smaller films. Brit Marling has written and starred now in two films of such a genre. it's refreshing take science-fiction films.

Peter (Christopher Denham) and Lorna (Nicole Vicius) drive into a garage following a set of instructions. They are met by a man who brings them in to the house and tells them to wash and change. From there they are blindfolded and transported to a secret location. Peter, Lorna, and several other blind folded people are led into standards home basement where Maggie awaits. Brit Marling plays Maggie very convincingly. Dressing in all white, creating an ethereal aura she tells them who she is. Maggie claims to be from the year 2054 and doesn't how she got here, but she knows these people's future. Peter and Lora are not here to believe Maggie's tale, but to secretly record her story for journalist reasons.

Besides a simplistic time travel story, the film addresses the theme of individualism and what that means when in a cult. Can one enlighten themselves but remain an individual.? What stories are worth believing? Sound of My Voice is like a combination of two indie hits from last year, Another Earth, and Martha Marcy May Marlene. Both of those films being strong productions, so enjoying or at least finding myself curious of how Sound of My Voice would unfold was rather easy. Is Maggie lying, telling a distorted truth, or sincere? It's a puzzle that deserves some analysis.

*** out of ****