Infinity Baby

Infinity Baby is a 2017 American independent comedic drama film directed by Bob Byington. The film stars a highly talented roster of actors, including Kieran Culkin of "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" and "Fargo" fame, the versatile Stephen Root, known for “Office Space” and his unforgettable role in “Get Out”, and Nick Offerman, popularly known for his role as Ron Swanson in the television series "Parks and Recreation". The film also features Trieste Kelly Dunn and Kevin Corrigan in essential roles, thus enhancing the movie's star power.

The movie's premise revolves around the fascinating yet peculiar concept of eternal babies, infants trapped in a biological stasis that enables them to remain three months old forever due to an inadvertent genetic modification. This captivating idea is the brainchild of a rather lackadaisical biotech company looking to break the boundaries of science but in the process, creating an unusual problem.

Kieran Culkin's character, Ben, works in this company named 'Infinity Baby' that decides to adopt this quirky problem as its business model. Ben’s job is to oversee the distribution of these eternally cooing entities to willing families. He approaches this challenge with a nonchalance that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, adding a unique personality element to the film's narrative.

Stephen Root plays his part as the neurotic, overwrought boss who owns the company. He navigates through the unexpected implications of his company's trailblazing experiment and struggles to keep everything under control, making for some comical and nervous moments. Nick Offerman’s character, epic and hilarious as usual, is an operations overlord trying to constantly solve the inherent issues, adding a unique flavor to the plot.

Infinity Baby is a satirical take on society’s obsession with youth, convenience, and the prospect of parenity sans the burdens that come with it - the restless nights, the diaper changes, and the overwhelming responsibility of nurturing a life. It poses critical questions about human maturity, responsibility, and the ethics of parenthood, all wrapped up in pithy one-liners, absurdist humor, and memorable performances.

Directed with sharp efficiency and a feel for hipster satire by Bob Byington, Infinity Baby thrives on its well-written script and gifted ensemble cast, with the plot’s absurd premise allowing the actors to stretch their comedic range. With its black and white cinematography, the film has a timeless, surreal quality that further accentuates its theme of eternal youth and the disorientation induced by scientific innovation.

However, Infinity Baby is not just a film about babies who don't age or about a company trying to make a profit out of a scientific mess. It’s equally a contemplation on immaturity and the fear of commitment in a generation caught up in the whims of convenience and consumer culture.

Culkin’s character, Ben, is a prime example of this, a man whose non-commitment extends to his personal life, caught up in an unending routine of short-term relationships and a persistent aversion to taking on any serious personal responsibility.

Infinity Baby is as much a film about people who refuse to grow up as it is about babies who can't. It uses a forbidding premise to wonderfully concoct a narrative that is as humorous as it is philosophical.

By weaving together such diverse themes, Infinity Baby offers a unique cinematic experience, balancing its humor with careful reflection. It may skate along the edges of absurdity, but it also harnesses a strange sense of realism that will compel viewers to ponder and laugh at the same time.

While a casual viewer might label Infinity Baby as a dark comedy or a dystopian satire, the film is profoundly more than just its genre. It's an exploration of how we deal with responsibility, commitment, seemingly absurd business models, and the extreme lengths we will go to for convenience, remarkably delivered through a unique storytelling approach that is both insightful and entertaining.

Whether audiences love it for its unusual storyline or appreciate it for its philosophical undertones, Infinity Baby is an indie gem that deserves a watch.