What I liked
Carver Folkes really delivered a masterful performance as Stevie, the underachieving male love interest for Gabrielle Archambault’s protagonist Jess. His nervous, anxious energy was perfect for the character and made the awkward reconnection of former lovers a poignant plot point. Hans Heilmann put together a character who was believable both as a slacker and potential con man and, eventually, the good guy he proclaimed to be. This is no small feat, since the script change is abrupt and the character transformation comes with little warning. Superior acting animated this tale. Archambault’s makeup was really impressive and sold the character and the story.
What I didn't like
I am not a huge fan of the script — the use of virtual technology for pain relief is an important topic and should be explored, but seems appended around the central story of Jess and Stevie. The omniscient voice, presumably of the VR coder, comes off almost as a surrealist conversation with a diety that, in my view, distracts from the gritty lives of the characters. This works better as a veteran’s return story than as an exploration of VR.
My overall impression
A solid delivery of existing material with some compelling performances by an adept cast.
