WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
When a single, tragic event occurs and you find yourself taking on the burden of blame associated with it, if given the chance, would you go back and change the outcome? Or prevent the circumstance from ever happening at all? And if so, would it be for a release from the guilt and just how far would you be willing to go? A college Quantum Physics professor, Jacob Matthews (Michael Peake), faces this exact dilemma as he teaches about paradoxes to a lecture hall of disinterested students. In a constant state of stress, post class he is confronted by the school’s Dean, Gregory Anderson (Keith Kar), who advises Jacob he needs to take some time off due to his mounting instability.
Having lived out of a hotel room ever since a devastating and grievous occurrence took his wife, Sarah (Amanda Miller), away from him, Jacob finally returns home and truly starts to chaotically obsess over time-travel paradoxes, calculations, and building materials in his garage in order to create an actual time machine to save his wife’s life. But the more he delves into his plan, the more unstable and erratic his behavior becomes, much to the dismay of his sister Jamie (Amber Lynn Potter) and fellow professor Andrea (Mindy Heithaus), the latter of whom very reluctantly aids him in his madness. But as Jacob then demonstrates the reality of his creation and the plan comes to fruition, the reasons why trying to change to past has consequences becomes all to evident.
Next, my Mind:
The entire notion of time travel to change the course of events is nothing new in itself, especially in film. However, lead actor and first time director Michael Peake has created the complete essence of a full length story, but neatly condensed it, so that it morphs into a slick, intense, smartly laid-out character drama with the sci-fi elements infused into it. And the way in which the material is presented feels so much more grounded in reality than most efforts with this theme, it therefore comes across as something fresh and almost eerie in its execution. The equally atmospheric soundtrack contributes beautifully to this air of ominousness and danger, helping suck the viewer in.
Peake is excellent as Jacob, delivering us a character on the edge, sweating every detail, deliriously fixated on his singular goal to reverse the bad choice he feels he made that caused his wife’s demise. The other interesting dynamic is mainly provided by Mindy Heithaus as Jacob’s Philosophy-teaching friend, who would seem to have more than a passing interest in Jacob as the story progresses, but is still intent on thinking him insane until he proves otherwise. In the film’s short 36 minutes format, the tone and feel the cinematography provides is quite impressive, which in itself helps make the film even more watchable and captivating. And again, the sci-fi time travel aspect is so well embedded into the story, it doesn’t come across as cheesy when the machine itself is revealed, but rather, it makes sense! And the finale will leave you stunned.
In total, “Jacob’s Paradox” is yet another worthy entry into the indie short film world and one hopes the Film Festivals will stand up and take notice to give it the recognition it rightly deserves.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
