Uncertainty

An unapologetically bizarre yet sporadically compelling piece of work, Uncertainty casts Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Lynn Collins as Bobby and Kate – a youthful couple whose decision to flip a coin at the film’s opening sets in motion two wildly different stories that unfold simultaneously. In the first, the pair find themselves forced to participate in shootouts and foot chases following the discovery of a cell phone in a taxicab – with their ill-advised attempt at holding the device for ransom prompting all manner of violence and chaos. The second tale immediately establishes itself as a far more low-key endeavor, as Kate and Bobby set out to celebrate the Fourth of July with Kate’s family while also weighing their options regarding an intensely private matter. Filmmakers Scott McGehee and David Siegel have infused both timelines with a gritty, almost avant-garde feel that efficiently evokes the spontaneous vibe they’re clearly going for, while the superb work by both Gordon-Levitt and Collins plays an instrumental role in carrying the proceedings through its less-than-enthralling stretches. And while both stories are admittedly quite entertaining – even if the second one is, at times, occasionally consumed with minutia to an almost unreasonable degree – there’s little doubt that the mystery surrounding the film’s central question (ie which of the two timelines is the real one?) effectively prevents one from fully embracing either tale (ie what’s at stake for the characters, if anything?) The absurdly inconclusive finale does the proceedings no favors, and although there are a few admittedly affecting moments sprinkled here and there, Uncertainty ultimately comes off as a cinematic experiment that’s unlikely to have much appeal beyond the art-house arena.

**1/2 out of ****