Uncertainty (2009)

3 Stars (out of 4)

Bridges Too Far

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

The writing and directing team of Scott McGehee and David Siegel (The Deep End, Bee Season) revisit that "alternate reality" genre that was briefly popular in the late 1990s (Sliding Doors, Run Lola Run), with typically interesting results. Bobby (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Kate (Lynn Collins) appear on a bridge and decide to run in different directions. This leads them to two alternate days. In one, they decide not to go to a party at Kate's family's home and get into a cab. There, Bobby finds a cell phone, and -- trying to find its owner -- gets himself in trouble with the Russian mafia. In the other reality, they go to the party, find a lost dog and must hide the fact that Kate is pregnant. The second story is more of an emotional drama, as each family member tries to decipher the actions and opinions of the others, and the first story is more of a pure suspense tale, with the couple trying to figure out how to profit from the found phone. The dialogue -- apparently improvised -- has a natural, organic flavor and the talented actors pull it off; they appear to actually converse with one another rather than talking to one another. As a result, their relationship has a natural charisma. The filmmakers make excellent use of New York City, with a wide range of backdrops and a definite reason for each one, and the result is that the two stories seem equally balanced. Some viewers may find fault with the basic idea, but Uncertainty is undeniably fascinating.