Movie review: ‘Jim’

The post-apocalyptic science-fiction head-scratcher “Jim,” which seems to be about bioethics, unemployment, personal legacy, the healthcare system and — what? Humans without humanity? — provokes one dominant reaction: “Whaaa?”

Told in intercut fragments from two eras, the film begins in a burned-out future principally populated by clones (“drones” might be more accurate, as they don’t think independently) whose labor powers the city of “natural,” genetically enhanced human survivors — only two of whom we see. One clone does think, making her the rope in a poorly justified tug-of-war between those two good-and-evil figures. Then there’s the eventually linked story of Jim (Dan Illian), an everyman in a time like ours. In non-chronological episodes, he faces just about all of life’s joys and trials, including contemplating shooting up a playground.

The dark specter of gene modification hangs over all of this, although it’s unclear why it’s a bogeyman. First-time writer-director-everything-else Jeremy Morris-Burke tries to take on big issues, but what he’s actually saying is a mystery. The dialogue and some performances are often wooden, with only occasional flashes of convincing emotion — although Vanessa Morris-Burke is warmly effective as Jim’s wife and Amy Heidt shines in a brief appearance.

Morris-Burke does deserve applause for what he has accomplished technically on a shoestring budget. His location scout is a hero. But the over-complicated, under-emotional “Jim’s” reach ultimately exceeds its grasp.

“Jim.” MPAA rating: Unrated. Running time: 1 hour, 41 minutes. Playing at Laemmle’s Sunset 5, West Hollywood.