The Sunday Mail
Film Review-Tinashe Kusema
I have always believed that the secret to a good movie lies in the presence of a good antagonist.
While performances are key, the real task is to build a compelling backstory, believable motivations and, most importantly, try to flesh out as much character as possible.
When done right, the result is usually sublime art.
Much of the success of films like the four “Avengers”, the second “Dark Knight”, “The Silence of the Lambs”, “Psycho” and even “Face/Off” had nothing to do with the so-called heroes, but rather their compelling and memorable antagonists.
The late Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight Rises) did such a good job that every actor has taken up the role of the Joker and tries hard to emulate his work.
Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs) remains the standard bearer of all villainy, while Josh Brolin’s Thanos (Avengers) is a classic example of long-term storytelling at its best.
I brought up the aforementioned point because I recently came across a classic example of how presentation can actually save a film.
Under normal circumstances, “Infinite” should have been a below-average movie.
However, its only saving grace is the performance and presentation of Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Bathurst 2020 character.
The Paramount picture offers a unique take on reincarnation.
In it, there are people in this world born with the gift to remember everything from their past lives, and these people are called Infinites.
Some of them, the Believers, work toward the betterment of mankind, while others, the Nihilists, look to end existence as we know it.
We are introduced to two key players in Heinrich Treadway and Bathurst, played in modern times by Mark Wahlberg and Ejiofor. These former friends and allies-turned-rivals are leaders of the two camps — Believers and Nihilists.
A bomb that will target all of creation at its core, known as the egg, is created.
But, before Bathurst can detonate it, it is stolen and hidden by Treadway.
This was in the past life.
Now, the film revolves around the current, Treadway trying to retrieve his memories, finding the egg and stopping his old friend.
It is a simple plot that had a lot of promise, but then falls victim to some lazy writing and yet another flat performance from its main lead. The Boston native spends much of the movie either yelling or talking at a fast speed — like he mostly does.
The action is top-notch, Matrix (1999)-style, and only falls victim to a poor script.
And this is where Ejiofor, as Bathurst, saves the day.
Unlike most of the Infinite, who gradually remember their former lives after puberty, Bathurst memories come back to him while still in the womb.
This forms the basis of his desire to end life as we know it, his rationale being that if there is nothing to reincarnate into, then there will be no rebirth.
He sells every emotion, oozes charm and steals every scene.
Special mention also goes to Jason Mantzoukas, whose take on Peabody offers comical relief.
The actor and comedian does a great job, which momentarily makes you forget all the movie’s misgivings.
The film is already available online.
