By Melissa Antoinette Garza
Prior to reviewing Kevin Corrigan’s filmography and watching his work, I had heard absolutely nothing about 2B: The Era of Flesh is Over. In all honesty, I’m very surprised I wasn’t aware of its existence. Between my husband, my friends and myself, we definitely meet the criteria of Sci-Fi experts, and when we find something that is worthwhile, we share it. The fact that it took me six years to know about this, blows my mind and makes me wonder what other great artistic projects I’m missing.
In many ways, 2B is playing devil’s advocate against some of the most well known Sci-Fi classics and standing in agreement with the cult classic Moon (2009). While watching, my mind thought of West World (1973), The Stepford Wives (1975) and most present while viewing was Frankenstein (1931) and how all three represented the dangers of technology and science. 2B embraces it.
The movie begins in 2017 where science has evolved to the point that Dr. Tom Mortlake (James Remar) is able to bring into existence what he calls a Transbeman. Mia (Jane Kim) his gorgeous and loyal creation is immortal and a more evolved human being. She calls Mortlake father and follows every instruction given. Mortlake’s intentions are honorable as he wants to end wars, death and destruction. He believes in his work and that the future will follow suit into a place where tragedy doesn’t exist.
Vlog sensation, club owner and writer Clayton Konroy (Kevin Corrigan) despises Mortlake as he believes the man is playing God and that his ego has taken control. He writes an unauthorized biography and meets up with his agent to discuss the release. In a small pub, Clayton arrives late and finds it hard to stay focused while a news program highlighting Mortlake is on a television behind them. It isn’t until he is told that no one wants to release his book and that he is fired, that his attention shifts.
Making the day even worse, his girlfriend dumps him, wrecks his apartment and blocks his number.
Meanwhile, Mia is on a mission aided by a computer system named Dave that ensures her safety. Her mission is to shoot Mortlake in the back of the head while the cameras and news watch in horror.
A reporter named Nicole St. John (Hayley DuMond) goes into attack mode and wants Mia to be caught by the police. She’s overzealous, sensationalistic, and obviously in it for the ratings – basically Nancy Grace.
Vicky Borano (Florencia Lozano) is given the task to find Mia. She has technology which can trace a location so that she can find her. Thankfully, Mia’s computer can block the transmission of where she is. Per Mortlake’s request, she hunts down Clayton to help her.
Clayton is taken aback by her presence as he had tried to interview her before but wasn’t allowed. He is hesitant to help her but intrigued. She tells him that Mortlake respected Konroy because he always told the truth and had integrity. She confesses that Mortlake ordered her to shoot him as he himself is going to be a Transbeman. She has a book with a mind file which will bring him back to life as a Transbeman, giving him immortality without the skin of a human. It’s as if they are spirits of the sky. She needs to express to the world that this is the future and the people who exist can follow her to this better place.
Clayton agrees to vlog her interview and begins by asking about her anatomy in the most vulgar of ways. She is shocked by his language as she and her father had a deal that whenever he swore he had to give her money. Clayton explains that words don’t mean anything and as an avid believer in the First Ammendment doesn’t hold back with language at all.
There is an obvious strong attraction between the two and the chemistry is fantastically hot. He takes her to his club so he can have a few drinks and record her Vlog. Afterwards, he begins shifting his belief system into thinking that Transbemans are better versions and smarter versions of humans.
During conversation when he is just taking everything in, he says, “Mortlake really was a fucking genius wasn’t he?” When Mia responds, “He still is a fucking genius,” he points out that she swore and asks if he is owed a dollar. She states that they never had a “fucking” deal and the fact that she swears again, makes him want her. She is more than a willing participant until he asks if Mortlake and her had sex. She takes offense and backs away. He begins getting revved as he speaks about Mortlake, the hatred resurfacing. He tells her there’s no way that he would make a creation like her without intentions beyond holding hands. He gets more intense as he talks and says he hated the doctor because he played God. What hits Mia the hardest is when Clayton says that he’s glad Mortlake is dead.
They begin a heated argument where she says he isn’t. She pushes him against the window in anger but then the attraction between the two takes over and they kiss. Afterwards, Clayton unsurprisingly has a change of heart and simply says “ok”.
She tells him, she has to allow herself to get caught and killed by the police and asks him to put the Vlog up and follow her computer system’s instructions on how to bring them back. He agrees and the Vlog is aired worldwide and gets over a million hits on the web within moments. St. John goes on a overblown rampage about the Vlog and about Mia. Clayton hacks into the news channel and tells her off with such relevance, intelligence and charisma. I wish someone would hack the 24 hour news networks, starting with Fox news to call out the bullshit as Clayton did in this film.
You can’t take your eyes off of Kevin Corrigan in this movie. Clayton is like a combination of Edward R. Murrow and Lenny Bruce. He has conviction and dedication, but can fly off the handle easily. He’s a good guy who attracts so many viewers because of his raw and real honesty which is attractive as hell.
Jane Kim was sensational as Mia. She expressed strength, apprehension and undying devotion in a naturalistic manner which made her relatable. The film was smart enough not to have her quirky or stupid as so many films about cloning or creating life does. There isn’t comedic moments at her expense. There are many funny moments during the conversations with Mia and Clayton but it was conversational and not demeaning or surrounding the fact that she was an evolved immortal being on a mission from her creator.
Her character was believable, sympathetic and without question as a viewer I was on her side and happily accepted the idea of the Transbeman. One of the touching aspects of Mia is that she does have an innocence to her. She describes how she loves fairytales. Though she enjoys the dark aspects and the fear inducing portions, her love for happily ever after endings surpasses all else.
I watched Florencia Lozano for years on One Life to Live as Tea Delgado. I actually used a segment of her and actor Roger Howarth for a college course assignment regarding self-love. It’s an amazing scene where the internally and permanently flawed Todd Manning, who hates himself, does everything he can to push her away. It’s such an gut-wrenching scene where a broken man tries his hardest to keep himself closed off while she sees the good inside of him and desperately wants to reach it. I received an A on my project and the professor was impressed. For those interested in seeing the scene, here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAxzhUmHvZk
The whole scene is memorable but the dialogue hits real deep around the 3 minute mark. If you ever thought there was a lack of intellectual and stimulating dialogue on soap operas, this scene will show you that when there is talented writers and superb actors, a soap can be superior to any other medium.
Lozano is tenacious as Borano. She’s not a bad person and when she finally comes into contact with Mia there is a bond that forms which really adds to the production.
Simply put, this movie is not one to watch while multi-tasking. It’s a deep, analytical, thought-provoking movie which challenges the viewer to rethink their thoughts on mortality in an original and philosophical manner that supports science and evolving ideas.
I wish it were available on DVD. Currently, the only place to purchase it is via the distribution site for download. If you are one to watch movies more than once as I am, don’t waste the money renting it. Just buy it. It’s well worth the $20.00. I watched it twice today before reviewing it to really get a handle on the film’s message. I did not want to misrepresent the inventiveness and energy of the production. I noticed things the second time that I didn’t see the first time which is generally a sign of a great movie, and this is no exception. Without exaggeration, this is Rod Serling territory. It is as good and as challenging as Serling’s work.
Purchase Here: http://www.2bmovie.com/index.html
Scared Stiff Rating: 10/10 A Perfect Movie
