My Review Of “I’ll Follow You Down”

Richie Mehta’s sci-fi/drama “I’ll Follow You Down” stars Gillian Anderson, Haley Joel Osment, Rufus Sewell, Victor Garber and Susanna Fournier in a slow, steady melodrama that revolves around a family’s agony after the mysterious disappearance of the patriarchal character Gabe, a young physicist researching wormhole theory and time travel. Years later son Erol discovers that there may be a chance to chance history and restore the timeline if he can find his father out of finishing the research.

The story in “I’ll Follow You Down” deals with a lot of science material tied together through emotional character study but you don’t have to be a smarty to follow along. Maybe to argue the laws of physics and such one would need to bone up on wormhole theories, quantum physics & mechanics but most people will be drawn in by the character drama that unfolds in the film. The cast is top notch and give moving performances with no overdrawn grandiosity, just straight forward compassionate well developed characters that really make the story enjoyable. The sci-fi or scientific theory aspect of “I’ll Follow You Down” is written more matter of fact and what I imagine would be elementary so a good foundation of “Star Trek” or other sci-fi knowledge really works well in that element of the material. I did phase out a bit over time line corrections without complicating things because that goes over my head,  but I still found everything relatable without being too wordy.

There is very little special effects in the film, most things boil down to a standard musical score that pulls at emotional elements of the film, there is a small practical effect and lighting effect against props to sell the “time machine” aspect that works just fine and without overstating the moment. “I’ll Follow You Down” is really a family drama that has some sci-fi attached to it but mostly it is a well directed, well acted and completely executed drama that is enjoyable to watch. I enjoyed the film, the cast was great. The story is sweat and Haley Joel Osment gives a commendable performance.