The Assessment

Plot

In the unknown future, human kind has wiped out all resources off the planet.

The world was split into two; the new world, and the old world. The new world, which is controlled by “The State”, humans now have the medicines that will help them live forever – but it makes them infertile.

To have children they must go through a 7 day ‘assessment’ to see if they are fit.

New World married couple Mia and Aaryan decide they want to have children, and sign up for the assessment. Their assessor, Virginia arrives – and over the next seven days throws their world into chaos – making them question everything, from their own identities, to their ability to be parents, and even their own place in the new world – and discover that what may lie within the ‘Old World’.

Direction

Visually stunning film from Fleur Fortune in her directorial debut. She perfectly shows a futuristic and dystopian universe.

The primary location of the film is that of Mia and Aaryan’s home which has a unique style to it. It is overly colorful, with an over-saturation of reds/greens – yet it feels almost ‘cold’ and clinical – as it matches the tone of their characters.

The sets almost exclusively have an either plastic or concrete finish, as the worlds resources have been exhausted, so has all the wood from the trees.

Cast/Characters

Oscar winner Alicia Vikander plays Virginia, and gives a breathtaking performance. She begins by being quite cold, and almost purposely uncomfortable (that first questionnaire). She then as the days pass pretends to be a child in order to test Mia and Aaryan’s problem solving abilities.

Elizabeth Olson is mesmerising as Mia, who despite her desperation to begin the assessment, struggles with connecting with Virginia’s childlike performance.

Himesh Patel is equally as sound as Aaryan, however it is the two ladies who steal the show.

Breakdown

We are introduced to Mia, who is a botanist, and Aaryan who creates AI pets, a married couple who are ready to be introduced to Virginia – their assessor to see if they are able to have children in the ‘new world’

One thing this film does quite well is how the ‘world’ is shown, and the history of how the two world came to be. This is done with an almost heartbreaking diatribe in the end of the first half’s dinner arc, by a scene stealing Minnie Driver. This also reveals more about Mia and Aaryan’s past, which is the cataclysm of the final arc.

The “seven days” are all shown quite dramatically on screen (day 1, day 2 etc) with coloured backgrounds. Often these back ground colours represent what occurs during that day. For instance day 3 is blue, where Mia and Aaryan must build the cubby with ‘all the pieces’ – and Mia throws away the blue bar that does not fit. This too is a cause of destruction in the sixth day fire.

The film also handles the many themes within the confines of the clever script well.

There is of course ‘self identity’ – where Mia and Aaryan – who have only ever known to do things for themselves, and rarely together. Mia is obsessed with her greenhouse – where she grows food for the state to replace lost resources, and Aaryan builds AI pets, to replace the pets lost to disease and famine when the resources were lost.

I also saw the ‘learning to become a parent’ as Mia struggles with bonding with Virginia – while Aaryan finds it easy. Also at times Mia and Aaryan would take themselves away from Virginia, or let her wander – something parents would never do or allow. This is also a cause and effect of the greenhouse fire later in the film.

‘knowing their own part’ of the world, as the revelation in the final act that the ‘State’ which controls almost every part of life has been lying to those living in the new world. It lied to Mia and Aaryan that the assessment is a sham, and that even Virginia – whose real name is Grace – believes if she continues with the farce she will herself get a child (to replace hers that drowned years ago).

The heartbreak that ‘Grace’ faces that if such prominent people such as Mia and Aaryan are unable to be given a child, what chance does she have? Vikander and Olsen are stunningly brilliant in this scene.

The films ending, which Mia takes herself to the old world, while Aaryan stays behind with his AI daughter (and then AI Mia), leaves them both getting their own ‘happy ending’.

Score/Soundtrack

A wonderful score, that is heavy from start to the finish. I loved the percussion instruments used. Brilliant work from Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch.

Overall

Visually stunning, with near perfect performances, especially from Vikander and Olsen.

The way it makes the characters question their identities, their place in the world and their paths to parenthood are wonderfully written and performed.

5/5

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