With: Michael Eklund, Karoline Herfurth, Tomas Lemarquis, Rik Mayall.
(English dialogue)
Helmer Eron Sheean generates considerable suspense and sustains a sense of mounting dread throughout much of his debut feature, “Errors of the Human Body.” So it’s all the more disappointing when this sci-fi thriller starts to run out of steam somewhere around the three-quarter mark, and slowly sputters toward a confusing, unsatisfying conclusion. Michael Eklund’s subtly drawn performance as a scientist seeking a cure for the rare malady that killed his infant son is undeniably impressive, but it’s doubtful that will be enough for genre fans who’ll be left scratching their heads. Prognosis: fleeting theatrical exposure, minimal homevid shelf life.
After his son dies and his marriage collapses, American geneticist Geoff Burton (Eklund) relocates to Germany to continue his research at a corporate facility. But he starts to distrust his colleagues, an old flame (Karoline Herfurth) and an arrogant rival (Tomas Lemarquis), while working on a regenerative drug that, as Burton learns the hard way after an inadvertent self-dosage, has unfortunate side effects. It’s easy to respect Sheean’s attempt to avoid monstrous transformations and similar sci-fi cliches, but this slickly packaged pic proves to be all buildup and no payoff.
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Errors of the Human Body
Germany-Australia
Production:
An IFC Midnight (in U.S.) release of an Instinctive Films production in association with High 5 Films and XYZ Films. Produced by Darryn Welch, Mike Deaghan, Cole Payne. Executive producers, Nate Bolotin, Rainer Bruns, Howard Bryan, Ross Bryan, Burnadette Burgi, Suzzane de Passe, Georg Dehghan, Madison Jones, Joel Miller, Chris Ouwinga, Justus Peter, Cathy Rollo, Tony Rollo, Aram Tertzakian, Sanny Van Heteren. Co-producers, Nick Feik, Michael Wren. Directed by Eron Sheean. Screenplay, Sheean, Shane Danielsen.
Crew:
Camera (color), Anna Howard; editor, Patrick Wilfert; music, Anthony Pateras; production designer, Karin Betzler; costume designer, Claudia Torsiello; sound, Robert Fuhrmann; special effects makeup, Kristyan Mallett; assistant director, Florian Schwombeck. Reviewed at Fantastic Fest, Austin, Sept. 23, 2012. (Also in Fantasia Film Festival.) Running time: 101 MIN.
With:
With: Michael Eklund, Karoline Herfurth, Tomas Lemarquis, Rik Mayall.
(English dialogue)
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