Alistair1918

Alistair1918 is an independent feature film produced in 2015. Directed by Mike Grell, and it stars Guy Birtwhistle, Tom Cano, and Bonnie Hallman.

The film is a unique blend of genres, combining elements of drama, science fiction, and historical fiction. The narrative revolves around Alistair, the film's central character and namesake, played by Guy Birtwhistle. The character of Alistair is a British World War I soldier mysteriously translocated into the future.

Alistair literally emerges from a hidden passage in the Griffith Park observatory into the heart of the 21st century Los Angeles. He is disoriented and perturbed by the countless changes that have taken place over the century. Alistair grapples with the realities of the modern world, such as technological advancements, societal changes, and cultural shifts.

As the narrative unfolds, Alistair crosses paths with a videographer, Blue, portrayed by Bonnie Hallman. Mimicking the aesthetics of found footage films, Alistair1918 explores Blue's documentation of Alistair's journey, utilizing documentary-style storytelling techniques to lend an authentic flavor.

Blue helps Alistair navigate and understand the contemporary world, which Alistair find puzzling and somewhat intimidating given his time framed mindset. Blue operates as a conduit between Alistair and modernity, quenching his curiosity, she provides explanations for the changes that have occurred during the last century. As Blue records Alistair's experiences, she also becomes entrenched in unraveling the mystery of his inexplicable time travel.

The dynamic between Alistair and Blue creates an engaging on-screen chemistry. They form a unique friendship under unusual circumstances—Blue, the contemporary woman with a camera, and Alistair, the old-world soldier from another era.

Meanwhile, Tom Cano, who plays the role of quirky Dr. Tess Brolen, brings another layer of intrigue to the narrative. As the plot thickens, it becomes evident that Alistair's time travel was not a mere accident but a crucial part of a bigger conundrum that spans across time and space.

Despite the gaps in time and the context from which he hails, Alistair's character is relatable. His struggles with feelings of befuddlement mixed with hope depict a universal human experience. Despite his dire circumstances, Alistair's resilience and sense of wonder offer a warm and human perspective on the realities of time travel, as well as broader themes like humanity and change.

Through her lens, Blue begins to see Alistair not just as a baffling presence from the past, but as a representation of an old world, encapsulating values that may be missing in the present day. Her interactions with Alistair bring her own reality into a different perspective, indirectly making her question the norms of her own time while comparing it with Alistair’s.

The film uses a mix of handheld and static shots to maintain an authentic and intimate atmosphere throughout the narrative. The visuals are replete with striking images of urban Los Angeles that sharply contrast with Alistair's memories of the green English countryside and the human-ravaged landscapes of WWI.

Alistair1918 delivers both as a time-travel mystery and an engaging drama that explores human nature. The movie's unique take on the idea of temporal displacement distinguishes it from many other time-travel narratives. More than just shifting periods, the film probes the subjective experience of time and the implications of being a person removed from one's era.

The performances of Guy Birtwhistle, Bonnie Hallman, and Tom Cano accentuate the film's emotional depth. They succeed in embodying their respective roles, their performances help to weave together the narrative’s numerous threads into a cohesive film that strikes a balance between the past's gravity and the lightness of the present.

Alistair1918 is a captivating and thought-provoking cinematic experience that uses time travel as a vehicle to explore greater truths about humanity. It intelligently combines the allure of historical drama with the excitement of science fiction, resulting in a unique narrative that welcomes viewers to engage in an intriguing journey of discovery.