Movie review: Ryan Reynolds steps up in ‘Self/less’

What It’s About

A gripping psychological thriller, “Self/less” is both mind-bending and action-packed.

Damian (Ben Kingsley) is a ruthless Manhattan tycoon, who despite his lavish Trump-level lifestyle, can’t stop cancer from ravaging his body. He doesn’t have very long to live when he pays $250 million for a radical medical treatment called “shedding.”

His mind — personality traits, memories, experiences — will be transferred to a young healthy body when he dies. Albright (Matthew Goode) of the revolutionary Phoenix Biogenics Corp. sells the procedure as a must-have for visionary intellects, the ultimate technological advancement for the wealthy.

The freshly minted man, now called Edward (Ryan Reynolds), starts a new life in New Orleans, quickly making a friend (Derek Luke) and partying with a bevy of beauties.

But if he doesn’t take his medicine on time, seizures occur, and flashbacks of another life come forth. He’s confused. But when he starts investigating, a posse of armed men come after him.

So what is happening here? It’s not exactly clear. Our hero is eventually on the run, with chases and shootouts taking over.

Performances

Usually, Kingsley (“Gandhi”) doesn’t make a bad movie but Reynolds (“R.I.P.D.”) has been in some recent clunkers, so it’s a pleasant surprise that Reynolds handles both the character’s torment and physicality well. Kingsley is barely in the film, so that is misleading.

Luke (“Antwone Fisher”) stands out in support, as does Goode (“The Imitation Game”) as the Phoenix’s suspicious pitchman. Natalie Martinez is likable as Madeline, as is Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen as her cute daughter, Anna.

What Works

A strong visual director, Tarsem Singh is either hit (“The Fall”) or miss (“Mirror, Mirror”), but sticks to the genre formula here without going rogue. He unfolds the intriguing sci-fi body switch story, by David and Alex Pastor (“Carriers”), at a good clip.

It kept me guessing until the finish line, although if you ponder the more preposterous mysteries, you’ll find some glitches.

What Doesn’t Work

While it might be packaged with glossy, state-of-the-art 21st century gizmos and techniques, the story is not that original, as it is similar to “Seconds,” John Frankenheimer’s ahead-of-its-time 1966 thriller. The film also borrows from “The Matrix,” “Coma” and “Face/Off.”

And there is a local flub. Damian drives to Brighton, Ill., to find out why it appears in his memories, but the sign “Brighton County” is used. Metro-east residents know Brighton is partially in Jersey County but mostly in Macoupin County. And they didn’t film this segment anywhere near Illinois or St. Louis.

This story was originally published July 13, 2015 at 4:13 AM with the headline "Movie review: Ryan Reynolds steps up in ‘Self/less’."