I just don't know if it's worth the time spent on it. It's entertaining enough, which almost distracts from the fact that it's 17-year-old deep. Almost. Like I get it. Everyone's a slave somehow. And every slavemaster doesn't see their slave as a person, and that's a problem. And it's never going to change. And when it looks like it might change: surprise; it's the same. But that's also slavery. When you look at it from the outside, the solution is very simple. Let's just not any more.

If you're looking for subtext, this is The Matrix for people who prefer period dramas to sci-fi. I can't help but compare it to The Fountain, which deals with similar themes from a different angle. Unlike The Fountain, however, The Wachowskis aren't able to drag convincing performances from their comically overrated Big Names. Aronofsky gets an emotional performance from Hugh Jackman in The Fountain, and it's beautiful in spite of his shortcomings. He's an everyman, overwhelmed by his predicament. I think I'm right in saying that Halle Berry and Tom Hanks have never given a convincing performance. There are times in this film where, if you'd told me Halle Berry was reading an autocue, I'd believe you.

I will say, though. Ben Wishaw is beautiful in this. He's so convincingly tortured, right to the very end. Won't even let himself have one final bit of happiness in case it changes his mind.

I think it's important to note that someone smarter than I am could potentially call this a brilliant piece of film-making. But for me, an armchair intellectual, it presents too many disconnected notions and never attempts to tie them together. It's all very beautiful and Wachowski-ish, but I'm not 17 any more. Maybe 17-year-old me could explain it to 35-year-old me.