Review
The Machine (Sci-Fi, Thriller) (2013)
Director: Caradog W. James
Writer: Caradog W. James
Stars: Toby Stephens, Caity Lotz, Denis Lawson, Pooneh Hajimohammadi
On the verge of an international conflict with China, secretive science programs are attempting to acquire AI models intelligent enough to replicate human thought and speech patterns, making them equal to us as humans.
Intent on crafting a discerning and resourceful narrative, Caradog W. James wrote and directed "The Machine", filming it in Wales on a bare-bones budget for such invested themes. His interest stemmed from the appeal of the literature he read about robotics, AI, and quantum mechanics. It was produced by Red & Black Films while being distributed by Content Media.
Somewhere in Britain, in an underground military facility, research and development take place on tragically injured soldiers. This is to prepare for a worldwide conflict as China has invaded Taiwan, and threats of insurgents that are already reaching British shores. Lead researcher Vincent (Toby Stephens) invites the brightest minds to present their AI programs to see if they're worth testing further and adapting to his cognitive neural implants or further developing projects. Ava (Caity Lotz) is one of these people; after convincing Vincent, she becomes his research partner, and together they try to map her brain to create an empathetic model. Yet when conflict strikes close to home, and a tragic incident occurs, leadership desires the opposite and instead intends to use the latest design for cold-hearted military purposes.
As only his second feature, Caradog W. James promises a sci-fi film that is pointe
d and adroit, in the same vein as similar features around this time, such as "Ex Machina," released only a year later in 2014. Despite being tough to compare, this confined, forcibly more basic script could provide an interesting watch,
Through brainy themes of future conflict and traumatised soldiers, a subtler science fiction emerges, with the direct approach orienting itself around a researcher with a personal stake in these AI developments. "The Machine" is a curious production, as these ideas, before their time, are cleanly depicted with linear yet complex character motivations that convincingly provide dramatic overtures. 
These parts of portraying the fallible characters are an unsuspecting surprise. At the same time, Lawson's Director Thomson isn't quite as appealing, with an underdeveloped villainous arc; it's Stephens and Lotz who make it all better. While the catalyst moment, right before the action-oriented finale, provides catharsis, what matters most are the narrative moments and worthwhile writing between these two. Supported by an understated Hajimohammadi as Suri and an '80s sci-fi horror soundtrack, there's just enough to be drawn to, proving that sometimes smart screenplays, even when limited, are enough to tell a story, even if it lacks the depth it would've deserved.
What drives Stephens' Vincent is his connection to his daughter in Jade Croot's Mary; this connection is seen more when handling the troubled Machine, perhaps more so than in the rare on-screen moments caring for his impaired child. "The Machine" had to deal with restrictions and compromises, which is why Caradog W. James returned to the project in other forms, some of which were sadly cancelled. Much like the research itself, it's a flawed film that despite this, and a less positive review than I did in the outset of this career, deserves a viewing by anyone with interest in the genre.
Verdict
Intelligently Configured.
6,5
