by Moe Zilla

Created on: February 12, 2008

"Strange Days" is a remarkable movie, capturing a message about people, communities, and technology with a story set just four years in the future

Lenny Nero (played by Ralph Fiennes) sells illegal data disks containing recorded emotions and memories. It's the end of the millennium, but he's moping over the loss of his girlfriend Faith (Juliette Lewis), continually playing back one last recording of emotions from their relationship. He's oblivious to the crowds celebrating the approaching millennium, and the growing racial tension in the city. (A rap singer and vocal critic of the police has just been killed under suspicious circumstances.) But though all Lenny cares about is protecting Faith from her violent manager, he'll soon find himself in the middle of the growing tensions.

The science fiction ideas are interesting, but they're just part of a better story. Lenny is watched over by Angela Bassett, a friend who warns him that "Memories were MEANT to fade." (Although Juliette Lewis gives another good performance as his former girlfriend Faith.) The movie includes gunfights and car chases, and a violent showdown that's harrowing an unpredictable. But their experiences bring the two characters together, as Lenny emerges from his malingering loss and reclaims his ability to connect with the humans around him.

The film was co-authored by James Cameron, who was also its producer, and the film shows some amazing production values. (It's budget was reportedly over $40 million.) The alternative music on the soundtrack creates the perfect futuristic mood, along with eerie lighting and some strange plot twists. There are some violent and disturbing scenes, but it's ultimately just a very effective action film with some thought-provoking additions. It's a lot of fun to watch, and there's real danger for Lenny's loser character. Will he be able to escape the increasingly threatening situations, and turn the tables on the corrupt conspirators? But more than that, it creates an entire futuristic world, with real people and real tensions.

Someone once said that all science fiction is really about the present. "Strange Days" is one of those movies that proves that to be true.

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