An intriguing sci-fi thriller that engrosses with every twist and turn, Volition adds its own unique twist to similarly themed stories of time, fate, and man’s struggle to control both.
When you first meet James (Adrian Glynn McMorran), you wouldn’t think that he is a master of the universe. Looking every bit the hard drinking, chain smoking hustler that he is, James has in fact the ability to see the future through random, clairvoyant visions. It is a power that has not gotten him ahead in life. There are no winning Lotto numbers to be found here.
Things begin to look up when James is asked by crime boss Ray (John Casssini) to help with the sale of a satchel of diamonds. James eagerly agrees, but his clairvoyant ability kicks up a curveball: a vision of his imminent murder. Along with his girlfriend Angela (Magda Apanowicz), James hits the road to investigate and stop his death, only to find himself on an unsuspecting and unpredictable journey.
It is a journey that director Tony Dean Smith (Summerhood) and co-writer Ryan W. Smith (Next Gen) fill with twists and turns that although familiar in concept, is a wild ride in execution. Volition features a smart and well-structured screenplay, brought to life especially in the editing that never over-complicates or over-explains James’ journey, or the methods he uses to get from A to X and every letter in between and beyond.
Adrian Glynn McMorran plays the sweaty weasel hustler aspect of his character very well, as he does the characters more purpose driven exploits later in the film. If Volition was made in the ‘70s, you could see a Dustin Hoffman or Jack Nicholson playing the role, with its mix of gritty two-faced scheming and compelling everyman charisma. That such an (at first) deplorable character is so easy to root for as the film progresses says much about McMorran’s performance, as well as the character rich script that is its guide.
Tony Dean Smith has indeed made his mark with Volition, an absorbing sci-fi thriller with a smart script and fine performances, and a throwback to when the thinking-man sci-fi movie was the norm.
