Susan Granger’s review of “Biosphere” (IFC Films)
Hollywood history is filled with misconceived vanity projects like “Biosphere,” Mark Duplass’ delusionary doomsday dramedy.
Sharing screenwriting credit with first-time feature film director Mel Eslyn, Duplass casts himself as manic, insecure Billy, who was once – briefly – President of the United States. Now, he and his best-buddy Ray (Sterling K. Bown), the last humans left on Earth, are living in the geodesic dome shelter that Ray designed.
Since they’ve dwelled here for quite some time, they spend much of their time bantering, bickering, reading, playing Super Mario Bros. and watching old movies like “Lethal Weapon” and “Jurassic Park.”
As a lighting timer simulates night and day, they’ve developed various routines for keeping themselves and their self-sustaining habitat fit and functional.
One of these involves utilizing a far-too-tiny fish pond but then – alas! – the last female fish dies. Given his scientific knowledge, pragmatic Ray immediately realizes this could be the end of their food supply but Billy, whom Ray dubs a “giant man-baby,” is slower to respond to their impending starvation crisis.
Curiously, at the same time – one of them starts displaying signs of “accelerated evolution,” meaning shedding some male characteristics and developing female traits.
“Do humans deserve another chance?” Ray wonders as the same kind of gender transition is occurring in the fish pond, prompting one to wonder if anyone’s ever heard of a hermaphrodite.
While they never reveal what caused the environmental apocalypse that stranded them there, they do become aware of a bright green light that mysteriously appears in the inky black sky – and it seems to be slowly approaching their bunker.
Obviously intended as a provocative social satire, skimming over several hot-button issues, it’s far too ambiguous and superficial to sustain interest and – after almost two hours – the conclusion is a total copout.
On the Granger Gauge of 1 to 10, futuristic “Biosphere” is a flustered, frustrating 4, available to rent or buy on Prime Video or Vudu – but don’t bother.
