“You can’t fall in love with a dream.” —Douglas
Today’s quick review: The Thirteenth Floor. Douglas Hall (Craig Bierko) is a programmer who has spent the last six years building something incredible: a fully functional simulation of 1930s Los Angeles. But when the head of the project, Hannon Fuller (Armin Mueller-Stahl), is found dead, Douglas finds himself at the center of a bizarre murder investigation. To find the answers he seeks, he will need the help of Fuller’s daughter Jane (Gretchen Mol).
The Thirteenth Floor is a science fiction mystery that speculates about the nature of reality and consciousness. The movie is speculative fiction at its purest: a story with one conceit—a simulated world, complete with its own people—that leads to plenty of interesting ramifications. The Thirteenth Floor is a straightforward mystery that fits together well, with strong leads for Douglas to investigate and a satisfying resolution.
Still, The Thirteenth Floor has a few clear limitations. The story moves slowly, taking care to establish the characters and the simulated world before throwing anything too shocking at the viewer. This cautiousness extends to other aspects of the film, including a relatively linear plot and a narrowly scoped climax that doesn’t go for heavy drama or action. The result is a modest but well-constructed mystery that toys with interesting ideas.
The Thirteenth Floor is a solid pick for fans of speculative fiction. It is more subdued than other sci-fi thrillers, without much emphasis on action, but it tells its story well. Those looking for a cerebral mystery with a sci-fi twist should give it a shot. Those looking for something more visually spectacular or emotionally wrenching may want to give it a pass.
For a visually and tonally darker movie that explores a similar mystery, try Dark City. For a more ambitious and action-packed examination of the nature of reality, try Inception or The Matrix. For another type of speculation on the nature of consciousness, try A.I. Artificial Intelligence.
7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for an interesting concept with mixed execution.