The moralistic ideas in LX 2048 are more developed than the actual plot. What led to the toxicity of the sun, for example? The movie proudly displays its “existential dread,” as one character puts it, in Adam’s hopelessness and isolation, in the overreliance on technology, and especially in the titular LithiumX, a pill that everyone takes daily to keep them in a state of robotic bliss.
Adam’s individual rebellion involves rejecting his daily dose of LithiumX. Indeed, whenever Adam raises his voice or has a strong opinion about something, he is asked if he is taking his meds. The schism between humanity and soullessness is the movie’s most intriguing conceit. Moshe’s script does a good job of laying bare the artificiality of clones and, conversely, the loss of human connection that leads to Adam’s “existential dread.”
“The schism between humanity and soullessness is the movie’s most intriguing conceit.”
Conveying such metaphysical topics in a relatively digestible manner requires skill, and, thankfully, D’Arcy is up to the task. This is one of the most self-assured performances I have seen in some time. D’Arcy’s thorough internalizing of Adam’s tumult easily overcomes the occasionally lifeless dialogue (“I can’t believe I ever loved you,” Adam bemoans to Reena in a line straight out of a soap opera).
The acting from the remaining cast is generally fine, with Lindo a standout, as always. However, no one approaches D’Arcy’s magnetism; he grabs hold of this material and absorbs it into his skin so much so that Adam becomes part of D’Arcy’s DNA. The final 20 minutes or so of the film is a tour de force of physicality that you can’t take your eyes off of.
LX 2048 has some very funny moments of black comedy thrown in, especially in the latter half, which throws off the nihilistic tone that the movie has held up until then. However, some truly thought-provoking concepts, interesting production design, and a knockout performance from James D’Arcy make LX 2048 well worth a look.
"…A knockout performance from James D’Arcy."
