In the same vein of the suspenseful mathematical thriller Pi, Shane Carruth's debut feature film, Primer, is unconcerned with sticking to reality but never feels far-fetched or too outlandish.  The story concerns four friends who attempt to invent something unique and profitable to help them escape the monotony of their day jobs as engineers, though most of the film centers on the actual process of inventing the device and the testing that follows rather than any kind of social commentary.  The snappy dialogue and convincing performances keep what could have become tiresome and monotonous, fresh and cutting edge.  The technical content in the first half and looping narrative of the second make things confusing and nearly impossible to understand in a single viewing, but the patient build up of cause-effect, the subtle way the men's friendship change and the shift's in plot and narrative focus all make for an invigorating experience.  The minuscule budget and use of under a dozen actors is especially amazing when you consider how many other films have tackled similar topics yet failed miserably at doing so.

After discovering groundbreaking results, Abe and Aaron take the project to the next level on their own.  They soon discover that their small device gives them the ability to send objects back in time for a short period of time.  Shifting from intrigued to obsessive, the two spend every waking moment outside of work perfecting, at least as far as they could tell, the device and using it for their own advantage.  The film hits a few clichéd bumps at this point, where the two take advantage of the stock market or sports betting by using their newfound knowledge.  After this however, it really takes off into uncharted waters and Carruth uses his abundance of mathematical knowledge to bring time looping and creations of doubles into the mix.

Carruth's simplistic device is used for more than propelling the story along.  It is a story of friendship and how this invention, and the power and responsibility that comes with it, change Abe and Aaron.  By avoiding cheesy revelations and typical characters arcs, Carruth has created a small but intelligent film bursting at the seams with ideas.  The actors work so well together that the emotional bond formed as the film progresses is undeniably strong, making its slow disintegration as they fully realize the effects of their creation heartfelt and true.   What impresses me most about Primer is how far it goes with so little.  Carruth clearly brings some original ideas to the table giving it a sci-fi twist without making it a sci-fi film, but the sharp writing creates an unrelenting pace and even the less interesting scenes benefit since the non-stop flurry of smart dialogue keeps things moving along the way.  It will soon become known as one of those confusing movies that you have to see twice, but it confuses in an intelligent way, keeping the viewer involved throughout rather than trying to pull the wool over your eyes.  For a first time effort, Shane Carruth has struck gold with a snappy, entertaining piece showcasing a couple of great actors and a script that Hollywood would have killed for before ripping it to shreds.  It certainly deserved its award at Sundance and after a wonderful reception at CineVegas, it should be reaching quite a few theaters throughout the U.S.