Movie review | The immorality of immortality studied in ‘Self/less’
Self/less ***
“Self/less,” the new psychological suspense-thriller starring Ryan Reynolds and co-starring Ben Kingsley, explores the immorality of immortality.
When the aged, terminally ill real estate billionaire Damian Hale (Ben Kingsley) is presented with an opportunity to extend his life by transferring his mind, soul and memories into a lab-grown, healthy 30-year old body, he reluctantly accepts the offer and pays the $250 million price tag.
While recuperating after the procedure, somewhere in a hidden locale in greater New Orleans, things begin to unravel. The remainder of the film follows Hale (now played by Reynolds) as he tries to reconcile odd flashback memories that he begins to suspect are someone else’s.
Matthew Goode, as Professor Albright, the creator of the illegal and dangerous procedure, is plenty menacing, as are his henchmen who will stop at nothing to protect their monstrous truths.
What do those stars mean?
* Really, really, really bad. Don’t bother.
** Pretty bad, with one or more redeeming scenes.
*** Pretty good, but maybe not great, worth seeing for most
**** Really great, a winning combination of story, casting, and directing
***** The rarest gem, an all-around perfect motion picture
This story was originally published July 15, 2015 at 7:17 AM with the headline "Movie review | The immorality of immortality studied in ‘Self/less’."