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Neverwas
2005 103 min Canada, United States of America PG-13 18+
★5.8
Drama, Thriller
Director: Joshua Michael Stern
Trailers
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Description
Zach Riley is a psychiatrist, who leaves a job at a prestigious university, to take up a job at the privately run mental institution, Millwood. What he doesn't reveal at the time of his appointment is that this was the very place where his novelist father, T.L. Pierson, spent many years of his life.
Worldwide:
$11,246
Starring
Aaron Eckhart
Actor
Ian McKellen
Actor
Brittany Murphy
Actor
Key opinion
Neverwas is a meditative drama that attempts to explore the intersection of childhood trauma and reality through the lens of a psychiatric mystery. While it features an ambitious premise and a strong cast, the film struggles with tonal consistency and a narrative that fails to fully realize its mystical potential.
| Acting | Ian McKellen delivers a compelling performance that captures the enigmatic nature of a patient living in an alternate reality. | |
| Screenplay | The film's premise provides a strong, intriguing foundation for a story about trauma and the connection between a father's literary legacy and a son's search for truth. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative structure suffers from a muddled second half, where the mystical and logical threads fail to coalesce into a satisfying conclusion. | |
| Acting | Opinions on Aaron Eckhart's performance are divided; some critics view his portrayal as diligent and fitting for the lead, while others characterize him as miscast and ineffective. | |
| Pacing | The pacing is viewed through different lenses: some find the initial slow tempo rewarding and contemplative, while others see it as indicative of poor execution and a lack of depth. |