Idaho Transfer, 1973
Dealing with some mental health issues, Karen (Kelly Bohanon) is brought to a research station by her sister, Isa (Caroline Hildrebrand), where their father is conducting experiments that have resulted in a method of time travel. Discovering that anyone over the age of 20 experiences debilitating effects from the process, a group of young people are sent into a devastated future to try and figure out just what went wrong. But social tensions begin to rise within the time-travelers.
This film had a similar appeal to me as
Oz, in that the oddness of some of the acting and pacing ultimately worked for and not against the viewing experience.
The acting is very naturalistic, and at times bumbling. But this only heightens the sense of these out-of-their-depth, barely-adults who have been burdened with the responsibility of saving or restoring humanity. "I'm a woman now!" Karen tells one of the men in the group, announcing that she may be pregnant. But as the stress build on them, it becomes apparent just how unprepared they are for this responsibility.
The science fiction element is done in a simple but effective manner. The "transfer" process involves sitting on a device and activating switches in sequence. There are rules of course---among which are no metal and no pants--but the specific mechanics are unimportant. there are some thrills introduced when the government takes over the facility and the young people must resort to sneaking around to access the machinery and the resources. There's one scene with a transfer gone wrong that makes its point with efficient gruesomeness.
The theme through the film---which is really hammered home in a very on-the-nose and yet very memorable final moment--has to do with scarcity and the behavior of people when resources begin to run thin. There are examples all through the film--everything from the literal things like food and water to the more abstract things like romantic relationship and communication from family. When push comes to shove, the film seems to say, things tend to end up with the same result.
I didn't have many complaints here. The pacing and acting can be a bit rough, but I think that on the acting front that is partly intentional and it does add to the overall tone. I did find it kind of hokey and eye-rolling that the film sometimes seemed to linger on the women as they transferred---really making the most of that whole "no pants" rule. Given the much more effective use of nudity-as-vulnerability later in the film, the early ogling of the two female leads feels out of place. There were also a few moments of conversation between the sisters that very much had a "man writing a female character who clearly didn't run this past
any women" vibe.
If you don't mind a slow burn or are interested in a novel premise, I'd recommend this one. I hadn't heard of it before, so hat-tip to the Horrorcrammer who put this one on my radar.