By: debbie lynn elias
Adapted from a short story by sci-fi master, Philip K. Dick, “Impostor” gives us Earth in the year 2079. We have been under attack from the Alpha Centauri for a number of years, who it seems have one main goal – to annihilate the Earth and its people. As a result, electromagnetic domes cover our cities, providing protection to those who can afford the stylishly sleek safe city life while the rest of the population is relegated to makeshift shanty towns in an area known as “The Zone,” exposed to the open skies and nuclear attacks by the Centauri.
The ever talented and versatile Gary Sinise stars as Spencer Olham, a pacifistic government scientist who has designed a device that has the potential to save the Earth and its people. Married to his beautiful doctor wife Maya, played by Madeline Stowe, the Olhams have a seemingly idyllic life, complete with a voice-activated stereophonic shower. (At least there’s one perk to look forward to while under attack!) Unfortunately, things are not always what they seem – especially in sci-fi – and on his way to the ceremony unveiling his latest and greatest invention, Spencer is kidnaped by the nattily dressed, impeccably groomed and menacingly goateed, D.H. Hathaway, government security and terrorist specialist. Hathaway it seems, is convinced that Spencer is not who he says he is, but rather is a Centauri replicant with enough nuclear explosives implanted in its heart to blow half the Earth to kingdom come. Complicating the situation is the Centauri’s ability to equip the replicants with the memories and emotions of their human counter-parts. Spencer, of course, professes his innocence and is determined to prove same but he must get to Maya whom he believes has the medical documentation to clear his name. In order to do so, however, he must first escape and elude Hathaway and his security forces.
What comes next is an intriguing little cat and mouse game between Spencer and Hathaway, taking us through the labyrinth of underground tunnels in this futuristic Earth and out into The Zone, where Spencer elicits the help of Cale, a former solider who is now one of the unfortunate and disenfranchised members of the population not lucky enough to have that voice-activated shower. Mekhi Phifer, reserved and quietly intense, gives a bravura performance as Cale.
Disappointing is the minimal use of the always excellent, Tony Shalboub, as Spencer’s best friend, Nelson, as well as Madeline Stowe’s portrayal of Maya Olham, which is too reminiscent of her work as Dr. Kathryn Railly in “Twelve Monkeys.”
Anyone familiar with the genius of Philip K. Dick knows that plot twists and turns, reality versus fantasy and a hard look at the nature of humanity are staples to his work. Although lacking the budget and big names of other Dick lineage films (“Blade Runner” and “Total Recall”), director Gary Fleder, fresh off “Kiss the Girls” and “Don’t Say A Word”, does an admirable job of translating Dick’s philosophies to the big screen while keeping a quick pace, which only enhances Spencer’s paranoia and the freneticism of the situation. Production Designer Nelson Coates, who previously worked with Fleder on both “Kiss the Girls” and “Don’t Say A Word”, creates a futuristic Earth smothered in shadows of blue, seemingly blurring the fine line between reality and fantasy.
“Impostor” – sure to become a B-movie sci-fi classic – is unpredictable, sinister and thought provoking – with very cool bathroom fixtures.
