2081 (2009)

"2081" is a 23-minute short film and as you could probably guess from the title it delivers a dark vision of the future. It was made over 5 years ago and the writer and director is Chancler Tuttle. The short story that this is based on is by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and he died 2 years before the movie. For Tuttle it is to this day the only project as a filmmaker and I cannot say I am too sad about this. "2081" looked pretty generic to me (especially the idea of a n equal society was done so often already) and there was nothing that made it really stand out. The ballet scenes were an interesting idea to make it look artistic, but it did not work really well with the rest of the story. Oh wait there is a terrorist and he all of a sudden starts directing a ballet dancer. Seriously? Also the drama aspects did not go so well in my opinion and the addition of successful actors Hammer and Clarkson weren't enough to save this film. Not recommended.

I've always been a fan of the Vonnegut short story. And I have watched other versions of this story as well - one of the most effective being one of the segments on the seminal "Between Time & Timbuktu" TV broadcast some 35 years ago. Sadly, that movie has been endlessly tied up in litigation for decades, or so I've heard.2081 is an admirable attempt to update the story and modernize it by incorporating technology that is more relevant to OUR day. While it is doubtful that the technology will look anything like this in the real 2081, it's an acceptable approximation of what might be.I enjoyed the performances. Julie Hagerty deserves more praise for her role as Hazel. She plays blank and clueless very well.The soundtrack was pretty powerful. There were some nice touches throughout - such as the clumsiness of the ballerinas. And a misstep or two, as in having Diana Moon Glampers portrayed as an attractive middle-aged woman. The image of the Handicapper General I always got from the Vonnegut story was more along the lines of "Granny" from the old Beverly Hillbillies TV show. Regardless, that is a bit of nit-picking on my part.Overall, I don't think this adaptation was completely successful, but I can't identify exactly why. As another poster said, there was something lacking. Still, it's a good attempt at fleshing out Vonnegut's story about the absurdity that would ensue if we took the idea that "all men are created equal" to ridiculous extremes. The "Founding Fathers" of course meant that we are all equal in the eyes of the Creator. But almost all of us know that we are not, nor can ever be equal in the talents and skills each of us possesses.

This was an excellently written and executed piece that brings light to the absurdity of the battle for equality. Pure equality, which I believe, can never truly be reached. James Cosmo as the father is a picture of strength, pride, and hope even in his ultimately restricted state. Julie Hagerty as the mother gives the piece a feeling of home and serenity and even peace with living underneath the governmental thumb. Armie Hammer's role as the rebellion and one whose drive it is to enlighten others of the injustice of it all was powerful and engaging. The entire film is given a somber, yet beautiful tone through the eery sounds of the cello. This film leaves a person to think about our equality and how far we should reach for it. I loved every second and highly recommend this short film.

If that was a debut direction, I hope the above will be working again. I've never seen or heard such vision (and I've not read the story). A simple story with a great premise and near perfect treatment. I can quite honestly say that I had goose bumps watching and listening to the orchestra when it was being led by the cello soloist, which is saying something because as a composer myself, I'm not easily fazed. All the cast were magnificent, especially the Scottish actor, James Cosmo. There seems to be a lot of British actors affecting American accents and vice versa, which whilst seemingly unnecessary, works if the actor(s) can pull it off, and James Cosmo certainly can.I really do hope to see witness more of Tuttle's work because what I just saw blew me away, and it will blow you away too, no matter how equal you are.