Responsibility clashes with freedom as a young New York City couple experiences two decidedly different holidays in this drama from filmmaking duo David Siegel and Scott McGehee (Suture, The Deep End). It's the Fourth of July, and Kate (Lynn Collins) and Bobby (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) are struggling to make a decision: do they stick with tradition and spend the weekend with Kate's family, or do they set out on their own for a spontaneous adventure? After making their initial decision, an alternate
narrative emerges to show just what would have happened had they chosen to do otherwise. While the decision-making process may seem mundane, the implications of each choice are profound. Sure, a holiday with the family doesn't seem nearly as exciting as an impromptu romantic trip, but that doesn't mean it will be any less dramatic. As the stories diverge and a "what if" scenario becomes reality, it soon becomes apparent how much one seemingly minor decision can ultimately affect the rest of our lives. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Rain Li's crisp cinematography gives the entwined stories different but complementary visual styles. Paul Zucker's editing supports each genre then poses fresh questions by leaping from one to the other.
Excellent New York City location shooting and the ever-reliable Joseph Gordon-Levitt can't salvage this gimmicky, overlong thriller from Scott McGehee and David Siegel...
Perhaps Uncertainty is a metaphor for the writing process. You start with a blank page then you have to make a decision, any decision, and follow it as far as you can.
Uncertainty is a long gimmick stylishly filmed and moderately enjoyable but plagued by tedious stretches and constant reminders of its own artificiality.
Has an interesting concept along with a terrific cast, stylish cinematography and interesting use of symbolism, but it's often rather bland and too low on imagination, credibility and wit.
The leads are immensely appealing, but the sum of their experiences equals nothing more profound than two earnest people wrestling with a tough decision.
A young couple between a rock and a hard place must choose whether to go to a family dinner or run from gangsters, but only the latter choice is intereting.
The choice is theirs. This film is good. Joseph Gordon Levitt is great in the lead and shows his range here, while Lynn Collins isn't bad either. Uncertainty is all about this couple, the decision-making process and the implications that certain action courses have on our lives. It's quite an unusual experience but
definitely worth watching. A young couple, Kate and Bobby, flip a coin on the Brooklyn bridge to determine the paths their lives take that day, the Fourth of July. The green path takes them to Brooklyn where they spend a quiet day with Kate's family, coming to a better understanding of their status as a couple. The yellow path takes them to Manhattan where they are being chased by a gunman and are in the center of a dangerous crime ring involving large amounts of money. What does the future hold for Kate and Bobby?
March 9, 2010
Manu Gino
Super Reviewer
Uncertainty is actually a metalinguistic film, where it's the characters who have to decide, by flipping a coin, if they should be part of a sensitive family drama or an action thriller. An interesting indie experiment about uncertain paths, though sometimes a bit bland.
No quotes approved yet for Uncertainty. Logged in users can submit quotes.
Submit a Quote from 'Uncertainty'
A quote can be a single line from one character or a memorable dialog between several characters. Please make your quotes accurate. Quotes will be submitted for approval by the RT staff.
Example:
Luke: Alright. I'll give it a try. Yoda: No. Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.
66%
——
98%
Top Critic
