Back to the Present
Back to the Present

Movie spotlight

Back to the Present

2021
Movie
100 min
Italian

While he is speaking on the phone with a member of his staff, Filippo has a severe headache and faints. As soon as he regains consciousness, he calls his friend Pippo for help and asks him to invite the group of old friends to join, too. Little by little the four friends remind him of happy moments shared in the past and Filippo gradually manages to remember with their help….But something unhappy comes back to their mind….

Insights

IMDb6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes72%
Metacritic65/100
Google Users75%
Director: Ramin BahraniGenres: Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Plot Summary

In a near future where time travel is a nascent and highly regulated technology, a disillusioned historian is tasked with a mission to prevent a catastrophic event. As he navigates the ethical minefield of altering the past, he uncovers a conspiracy that blurs the lines between personal desire and collective responsibility. The journey forces him to confront the true cost of knowledge and the irreversible nature of choices made across time.

Critical Reception

Back to the Present received a mixed to positive reception from critics and audiences. While praised for its ambitious concept and strong performances, some found the plot convoluted and the pacing uneven. The film sparked discussions about determinism and the ethics of technological advancement.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its thought-provoking premise and engaging lead performances.

  • Criticized for a somewhat muddled narrative and occasional narrative stumbles.

  • Applauded for its stylish visuals and exploration of complex ethical dilemmas.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's intelligent science fiction concepts and the compelling performances, particularly from the lead actors. Some viewers found the plot a bit too complicated to follow at times, but the overall experience was considered thought-provoking and enjoyable.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the Golden Globe Awards.

Fun Fact

The distinctive visual style of the 'near future' was inspired by brutalist architecture and early 20th-century industrial design to create a sense of imposing, yet sterile, technological advancement.

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