Throughout history, people have always wondered: Why am I here? How can I make a difference? Will I ever find love? Even though survival was often the main concern, these questions have persisted. It’s likely that humans will still be seeking love and purpose 1,000 years from now.
“Molli and Max in the Future” is a sci-fi romantic comedy that combines elements of “When Harry Met Sally” with a far-future setting. Despite its limited budget, the film creatively uses green screens and witty dialogue about imaginary technologies, making it surprisingly engaging.
In “Molli and Max,” their first encounter is quirky: Molli dodges space debris while hunting magic crystals in her flying car, and Max crash-lands on her windshield in an astronaut suit. He convinces her to take him to a robot fight, and they continue hanging out. However, their romantic tension doesn’t go anywhere, and their personal issues eventually cause them to drift apart, at least for a while.
In “Molli and Max,” the story unfolds in chapters over 12 years, following the style of its inspiration. Along the way, they encounter various comedic actors and fantastical locations, with references dropped as casually as highway exits. For instance, there’s the Quantum Zone, a dimension from a popular podcast, which adds to the humor and whimsy of the film.
Whether you find it charming or overly cute depends on your taste. What holds the film together is the chemistry between Mamet and Athari. Mamet delivers a dynamic performance, with her character’s angst feeling relatable and universal. Their interactions feel natural, like two friends who could potentially become more if they can overcome their own obstacles.
The film attempts political satire, like a futuristic rehash of the 2016 election with Nancherla’s character resembling Hillary Clinton. However, these moments feel forced, and references to COVID-19 in the later part of the film quickly make it feel dated. Despite this, there are some sharp satirical moments, such as Molli lamenting the impending apocalypse caused by cheese production, with Max questioning why cheese is still being sold.
Most of “Molli and Max in the Future” was filmed in front of green screens, with minimal prosthetic makeup and futuristic props used to enhance the sci-fi setting. While this approach limits the scope of the world, the witty script helps to compensate for it. As the film progresses, the limitations become less noticeable, thanks to the engaging banter between the characters.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Genre | Sci-fi romantic comedy |
| Inspiration | “When Harry Met Sally” |
| Setting | Far-future setting with imaginative technologies |
| Plot | Molli and Max’s quirky first encounter leads to a series of adventures over 12 years, exploring romantic tension and personal issues |
| Style | Chapters unfold over 12 years, reminiscent of its inspiration; uses green screens creatively with witty dialogue and references to fantastical elements |
| Chemistry | Strong chemistry between lead actors Mamet and Athari; dynamic performances make characters relatable and engaging |
| Humor | Sharp wit and comedic moments, with references dropped casually throughout; attempts political satire but feels forced at times |
| Production | Filmed mostly with green screens and minimal prosthetics; futuristic props used to enhance the sci-fi setting; limitations compensated by engaging banter between characters |
| Reception | Charming for some, overly cute for others; Mamet’s performance praised for relatability; some satirical moments stand out, while others feel dated |
