MOVIE REVIEW : Tedious Foray Goes On for ‘Infinity’

“Infinity” (at the AFI USA Independent Showcase at Laemmle’s Monica 4-Plex) is nothing if not ambitious, a quest for the meaning of life and death that explores supernatural phenomena, the possibilities of reincarnation and the transcendent power of love.

Unfortunately, for all its sincerity, the film is didactic, tedious and bordering on the amateurish despite a cast of professional actors. Such a formidable undertaking is beyond the abilities of writer-producer A. J. Brato, drawing from the spiritual philosophy of author-teacher Joel S. Goldsmith, and debuting director Alex Gelman.

An ex-naval pilot (Newell Tarrant) is drawn to return with his wife (Patricia Place) and teen-age daughter (Megan Blake) to a South Pacific island where he miraculously survived the explosion of his jet fighter. In this island paradise the family is greeted by a youth (Moises Bertran) seemingly possessed of telepathic powers. He has been raised by a Nobel Prize-winning philosopher (Fred E. Baker) in the belief that if the boy were “indoctrinated” in all the teachings of the great religious figures and philosophers he would attain a higher level of consciousness. How this youth, now on the brink of manhood, will be affected by the arrival of strangers, particularly by the beautiful daughter, becomes a key question.

Brato and Gelman demonstrate little aptitude for filmmaking. Pacing is frequently leaden, dialogue heavy and arch, and the film is all but destroyed by a truly terrible score that is as trite as it is insistent and intrusive. The sheer doggedness of “Infinity” (rated PG for complex themes, some adult situations) is finally affecting, but only those into New Age thought are likely to be willing to sit through it.

‘Infinity’

Megan Blake: Karen Everett

Moises Bertran: Daniel

Newell Tarrant: Mark Everett

Fred E. Baker: Dr. Algernon (Algy) Morgan

Patricia Place: Doris Everett

An Alternative Distribution System release. Director Alex Gelman. Producer-writer A. J. Brato. Cinematographer Eric Goldstein. Editor A. Lori Tucci. Music Michael Linn, Robert J. Walsh. Sound David Chornow. Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes.

MPAA-rated PG (complex themes, some adult situations).