Relax, I’m From the Future

Directed by Luke Higginson, Relax, I’m From the Future follows Rhys Darby’s Casper as he arrives in the present day from an unspecified point in the future and quickly befriends a rebellious activist (Gabrielle Graham’s Holly) – with the narrative detailing their exploits alongside other quirky figures. There’s ultimately little doubt that Relax, I’m From the Future fares best in its appealing, oddball opening stretch, as the filmmaker, working from his own screenplay, does an effective job of establishing the off-kilter protagonist and the decidedly unusual scenario – with the watchable atmosphere heightened by Darby’s entertaining and completely captivating performance. (Graham, along with top-notch periphery players Julian Richings and Janine Theriault, provides more-than-able support, too.) And although the picture’s midsection boasts its fair share of compelling interludes, Relax, I’m From the Future, once it passes the one-hour mark, admittedly does become just a little too wrapped up in its complicated (and convoluted) story – which, in turn, slowly-but-surely drains the viewer’s interest and attention. It isn’t, as a result, surprising to note that the film fizzles out before arriving at its decent-enough conclusion, thus securing Relax, I’m From the Future‘s place as a watchable yet somewhat disappointing comedy that can’t quite justify its full-length running time.

**1/2 out of ****