Capsules
I will give Luke Momo credit for this much- he understands the limitations of his narrative in “Capsules” when it comes to running time. There’s a version of this that could have been expanded out to 90 minutes that would have been deadly to this film’s ability to hold our interest. While I do think “Capsules” takes a bit too long to get to the main arc of the story, recognizing the length at which this film maintains a good sense of pace and tension is important when so much of the story is dialogue-heavy over action. I have mixed feelings on the film as a whole, but I do think Momo shows an ability for telling this story that is solid.
The film has four chemistry students studying for a test. It’s clear from the dialogue that these students use drugs recreationally on a regular basis, as well as to keep themselves alert when it comes to their studies. I do like the casual nature the film treats that fact with, which is important if the film’s hook is going to land. As they take a break, two of them come across an old man who seems to have passed out in the middle of the road. He also has some pills with him that they become interested in, especially when the man gets back up and walks off. When the four take them, however, they might find the side effects too much to handle.
Actions have consequences is basically the thematic hook of the film throughout its 71 minute running time; the narrative one is to see if these four can figure out what is it about this compound that causes the side effects they’re dealing with. I’ll be honest- these characters didn’t really engage me, and sometimes, they act in a way that makes them out to be dumber than they are meant to be. While I understand they need to take the pills in order for the plot to kick in, that these chemistry students wouldn’t at least explore the possibilities of what they do in a controlled manner- maybe with only one of them taking it before the rest do- seems a bit reckless, and short-sighted. But, the story is what it is, and when the side effects reveal themselves, “Capsules” becomes a strong race-against-the-clock narrative that holds us for the rest of the film, not just because of what those side effects mean, but the way the film visualizes them in the effects created by Ashley K. Thomas. It also builds to a haunting ending that has these characters almost adrift, detached from the lives they had before. It feels like an appropriate ending to this film.
