Search Engines

Search Engines is a dramatic, yet humorously engaging, social satire directed by Russell Brown, which premiered at the 2016 Austin Film Festival. The movie features a talented ensemble cast including Joely Fisher, Natasha Gregson Wagner, and Grace Folsom whose performances give life to a story that cleverly explores our connection to technology and its effects on our interpersonal relationships.

Set during a traditional Thanksgiving gathering, the plot does not deviate often from this minimalistic setting. This limitation helps to focus the audience's attention on the characters, and the awkward dynamics that surface, once they are reluctantly drawn away from their digital crutches.

In the film, Fisher serves as one of the main characters, portraying a practical and level-headed woman hosting Thanksgiving for her closest friends and family members. She is often the thread that binds everthing else together, acting as the calm in the somewhat chaotic landscape. Grace Folsom, known for her knack in bringing emotional depth to her roles, plays a young woman grappling with her present relationship that is entangled with the web of technology. She brings a moving portrayal of anxiety and vulnerability in the world that is closely mirrored with the advent of modern communication.

Natasha Gregson Wagner completes the trio with her role as a successful woman, constantly trying to juggle her professional life with her personal responsibilities. Amidst texts, emails, and multiple search engines, the character's life is depicted as an endless race against time, exploring how our reliance on technology often increases stress, rather than reduces it.

The movie's premise begins with a casual Thanksgiving gathering where the usual small talk, drinks, and turkey are shared by all. As the day takes its course, the movie conveys family tensions, secrets, and various personal issues that are usually hallmarks of such family gatherings. However, the twist comes when a mysterious power outage causes local cell towers to fail, and the Internet goes dark. This catalyst propels the film into a fractious discourse about the unrelenting grip of technology.

Without the refuge of smartphones, tablets, and laptops, individuals are forced to interact directly and frequently, leading to awkward and often hilarious situations. The person-to-person interaction becomes more substantial, revealing surprising secrets, unknown feelings, and bizarre revelations. Everyone engaged is left wondering if their connectivity was really the connection they needed.

The narrative of Search Engines conveniently uses a familiar domestic backdrop to investigate multifaceted topics including technology dependency, communication in the digital age, voyeurism, and the erosion of personal privacy. The comedy and drama in the movie are skillfully intertwined, creating both moments of uncertainty and relieving comedic interludes.

As a cinema, Search Engines marries contemporary issues of digital life with classic themes of emotional conflict and confrontation. By pivoting on a seemingly simple premise of a tech blackout, the movie affirms how the perceived world around us can change alarmingly when separated from our machines.

The layered performances, thought-provoking narrative, memorable characters, and satirical tone sets Search Engines apart from many contemporary films. It masterfully explores the irony of a perpetually 'connected' society that feels increasingly isolated, skillfully drifting between moments of levity and seriousness while maintaining an insightful commentary on technology's pros and cons.

Visual effects are employed sparingly in the movie, but the screenplay and performances do an excellent job holding viewers' attention, therefore making it unnecessary to rely on high-tech visuals or effects to make an impact. The subtle cinematography adds to the feeling of intimacy and domesticity, focusing on tight, close-up shots that underscore the drama unfolding within the four walls of a family property.

Search Engines is a notably witty film that will resonate with the viewer regardless of age or tech-savvy. It challenges audiences to consider the dependency they place on their devices, inviting them to heed caution concerning their own reliance on technology. Search Engines is a film that offers up more than just mindless entertainment; it is a thought-provoking, meaningful, and relevant depiction of the world we live in today.