REVIEW: Hugh Jackman Explores People’s Memories In ‘Reminiscence’ To Solve A Mystery

SALT LAKE CITY — Memories can be a powerful thing, and if we somehow had the ability to virtually re-live memories, then it could turn out to be something as addictive to our minds as drugs. That’s one premise in “Reminiscence,” a futuristic, science fiction take on film noir, starring Hugh Jackman, Thandiwe Newton and Rebecca Ferguson.

REMINISCENCE, starring Hugh Jackman & written and directed by Lisa Joy, opens in theaters and on HBO Max on Aug. 20, 2021.

Jackman plays Nick Bannister, a war veteran who now lives on the fringes of society in the partially sunken city of Miami.

Nick and his war buddy Watts (Newton) run a business, where people pay them to use a special machine called a reminiscence tank that has ability to access their memories and display 3D holograms of them for people to see.

But when Mae (Ferguson) comes in as a client, what begins as a simple lost-and-found memory search turns into an affair between her and Nick, and when she suddenly disappears, Nick is obsessed with finding out where she went and why.

“Reminiscence” is written & directed by Lisa Joy (co-creator of HBO’s “Westworld”) and is an original and artistic movie that asks fascinating questions like: Why do we chase memories and moments from the past so fiercely sometimes? Is it dangerous to spend too much time in your own memories? And, what things that are right in front of you do you miss out on, if you’re always looking back?

“Reminiscence” is rated PG-13 for strong violence, drug material throughout, sexual content and some strong language. The run time is 1 hour and 55 minutes.

The movie is playing in theaters nationwide but is also available to stream for HBO Max subscribers until Sept. 20.