Like an earth with two moons, the world in which we live has evolved toward a schizophrenic level of dual realities, one sensory based, tangible; the other a reality of the mind that can be found in the dimension we know as cyberspace. And maintaining the latter has become big business in the former: Providing software that changes the parameters of that reality on a daily-- even hourly-- basis. It's a big, and moreover, a binary industry, a business in which (according to this film) you are either a `one' or a `zero,' and it's therefore imperative to stay ahead of the competition at any cost. Which is exactly the position explored by director Peter Howitt in `AntiTrust,' a thriller that puts something of a paranoid perspective on the world born of the microchip.
Based in the Pacific Northwest, N.U.R.V. (Never Underestimate Radical Vision), the empire of software magnate Gary Winston (Tim Robbins), is on the verge of achieving a quantum leap forward in the realm of global communications. Their `Synapse' satellite system, once operational, will make global communications through any medium a reality. All they need is one more all important piece of the puzzle to implement it, and toward that end Winston has recruited Milo Hoffman (Ryan Phillippe), a young computer genius, one of maybe twenty programmers in the world who can accomplish the task before the targeted date set by Winston to launch Synapse.
The carrot on the stick that Winston dangles in front of Milo is too tempting to refuse, so Milo abandons his plan of starting up his own company, in which he would have been partners with his best friend, Teddy (Yee Jee Tso), to accept the position-- and the challenge-- at N.U.R.V. Very quickly, however, this apparently perfect world into which Milo has entered begins to implode on him, beginning with the tragic death of Teddy, apparently the victim of what looks to be a racially motivated hate crime. But then something happens which causes Milo to question the truth about Teddy's murder, as well as the methods Gary Winston employs to keep N.U.R.V. at the top of the charts. And he is determined to find the answers at any cost; whatever it takes, he will know the truth before it's over.
With this film, Howitt succeeds in putting a fresh face on the concept of the `computer nerd,' and though overall it may be a bit to slick for it's own good, he does provide some thrills with it and manages to maintain enough tension and suspense throughout to keep it interesting. As pure entertainment it works, but it's not one into which you want to delve too deeply; just sit back and enjoy the ride. If you do insist on looking closely, you'll discover a plot that is something of a cut-and-paste job, into which an element is injected purely to move the story in a certain direction, and it does, but at the cost of compromising the film's credibility somewhat. There is an `All is not what it seems' aspect to it that is fairly obvious from the outset, but Howitt fails to mine it's potential to the fullest, and it leaves you wondering how much better this would've been in the hands of a Hitchcock or Mamet (and, granted, that's pretty exclusive territory). Howitt does well enough, but he's still playing at `Triple A' level, not quite ready for the `Show.' What he does have going for him are the performances of his personable and very watchable stars, Robbins and Phillippe.
The character of Gary Winston is Bill Gates, roman a clef, and is well served by Robbins' portrayal of what could be called Gates' fictional evil twin. Robbins sells the character with his natural, charismatic personality and makes the image of Winston as a leader and motivator believable. And he adds some nice, personal touches-- his penchant for potato chips, for example-- that fleshes out the character and gives you the whole package rather than just a surface-will-suffice representation. Though with a completely different character, Robbins has been down this road before, in `Arlington Road,' and now, in creating Winston, proves beyond any doubt his adeptness at playing to the dark side and making it real.
Phillippe, too, gives an engaging performance as Milo, lending an air of introspection to his character that really brings him to life. It's an earnest portrayal and very well presented. Phillippe has a genuine quality that makes him stand out, even as he did as part of the ensemble cast of `Playing By Heart,' in 1998, in which he shared the screen with the likes of Sean Connery, Angelina Jolie, Dennis Quaid and Ellen Burstyn. His performance here, in fact-- along with Robbins-- is a big part of what makes this film so agreeable. He's a fine young actor who has already demonstrated he has what it takes to carry a film on his own, and he's definitely one to keep an eye on as his career develops.
As Alice, the woman in Milo's life, Claire Forlani looks elegant and has an ingratiating quality that draws the eye to her, and her character, though less than detailed, is believable. Rachael Leigh Cook, on the other hand, is attractive, but her character, Lisa, lacks definition, and what you get is something of a `Cliff's Notes' version of who she is. With both characters, Howitt seems to have had trouble getting a handle on how best to present them, especially Cook, who ultimately serves as little more than window dressing.
The supporting cast includes Douglas McFerran (Bob), Richard Roundtree (Barton), Tygh Runyan (Banks) and Tyler Labine (doing a Jack Black take on his character, Redmond). `AntiTrust' may not equal the paranoia induced by `Enemy of the State,' but it does raise some questions about where technology is taking us, and more importantly, who is in the driver's seat. It's a cautionary tale, good for some thrills; but again, just don't look too deep. 6/10.
