The Thirteenth Floor 1999

This dvd caught my eye on a charity shop shelf recently, I had a look at it but decided not to take it home with me, mainly because I am struggling for dvd space so I'm trying to only buy those that are already on my list or those I would regret not having. I had never heard of The Thirteenth Floor and saw it was only reasonably rated so I was disciplined and left it behind. But over the next day or 2 I was still thinking about it (remembering the time I saw Fitzcarraldo and only marginally opted to get it - it turned out to be an all time great) so decided to go back for it, and I am glad I did. It has turned out to be my kind of high concept sci-fi and a film I am happy to have in my collection. It goes to show that sometines you should follow your instincts, and think about the practicalities later.

This underrated sc-fi film takes place in a world where, not unlike the Matrix, people can 'jack-in' to a pre-programmed, simulated world and live out fantasies for a short while. The simulation program is modelled on 1930s LA and inhabited by programmed subjects who are unaware they are not actually human, to jack-in is to inhabit one of these program's bodies, after which the programs are unaware where the time went. Of course before long the question of the nature of reality arises.. not just within the simulation. So in a world that you know isn't real, do your actions have real consequences? And if you, programmed human or not, realised the world you inhabit isn't real, what would that mean?

The plot isn't overly original and comprises many familiar sci-fi and noir elements - noticeably investigators in hats that reminded me of Philip Marlowe or J J Gittes, and noirish lighting straight from Glengarrry Glen Ross or Mulholland Drive. Most of the effects and the acting were adequate and no more, but crucially the ambition, feel and concept were all impressive, making it one I would certainly recommend.