Film: The Assessment
Cast: Elizabeth Olsen, Alicia Vikander, Himesh Patel, Minnie Driver, Indira Varma, Charlotte Ritchie, Nicholas Pinnock, Leah Harvey
Director: Fleur Fortuné
Rating: 2.5/5
Runtime: 114 min

“The Assessment,” is the first feature of longtime music video director Fleur Fortuné. It’s a dystopian sci-fi drama dealing with a future world, a spartan dome like universe where couples have to seek permission, have an assessment done, if they want a child. With population having gone out of control in the old world and environmental catastrophe having ravaged the planet, a safer section with strict rules and a border dividing the old world from the new one, has been created. This appears to be a new beginning with new laws in place to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen again. A representative of the state is the one with all the power to decide without needing to explain her reasoning. The film is an intimate drama with Govt playing Big Brother watching every nook and cranny in its fiefdom.

It’s a minimalist world where married scientists Mia (Elizabeth Olsen) and Aaryan (Himesh Patel) live. They live a relatively comfortable life. He creates lifelike virtual pets, while she focuses on developing plant life. Mia conducts research on sustainable food while Aaryan fiddles with artificial intelligence. An Alexa-like voice caters to their every need. And yet they feel the need for a child.