Title: The Second Age of Aquarius
Director: Staci Layne Wilson
Screenplay: Darren Smith, Staci Layne Wilson
Minutes: 81
Year: 2021
Score: 6.67
When you have spent some time writing about films you tend to make some friends who are awesome and make awesome movies. Sometimes those friends beat around the bush when they have a film coming out and say, “well, shucks, I have this movie if you want to, no, it won’t interest you.” Then you, a film enthusiast, have to drag it out of them. Anyway, that was director Staci Layne Wilson and I, and this is her movie.
From SecondAgeOfAquarius.com:
Weird Science meets The Odd Couple meets Oliver Stone’s The Doors in “The Second Age of Aquarius.” When Alberta magically brings her favorite departed rock n roll poet back to life, he’s everything she dreamed… at first. Turns out Russell Aquarius thinks he’s having the ultimate bad trip and he wants to bring Alberta along for the magic carpet ride!
It has always been my policy to be honest. I have seen a lot of bad movies and I don’t write about them here. Who needs more negativity? Going into THE SECOND AGE OF AQUARIUS I was nervous. Staci is a cool person, but I had never watched anything she’s directed.
Well, good news friends, I don’t have to juke to avoid feelings, this movie is a cool little sci-fi/comedy that was as charming as the day is long.
Alberta, played exceptionally by Christina Jacquelyn Calph, is a coder who, in her free time, is writing a program to create an avatar of singer Russell Aquarius, Michael Ursu, a favorite of Alberta’s and her grandmother’s. Ursu’s performance reminded me of Gethin Anthony’s performance of Charles Manson in the in the (sadly) cancelled AQUARIUS television show, but without the homicidal tendencies.
The film offers an interesting look at a man from the 1960’s transplanted into the 2020’s. Sixty years of social change in the co-habitation of men and women twist the expectations of both characters.
Through the film the relationship between Alberta and Russell ripens and we learn that while they are fundamentally different, they are also oddly the similar. Unlike some similarly budgeted films there are clear character arcs and both main characters grow. The visual effects, while limited, are tastefully used, and do not attempt to stretch themselves to a breaking point.
I enjoyed the performance by Michael Ursu, but the character starts in the realm if a caricature so there was an initial disconnect for me. Ursu was also a very good musician, and I don’t see specific credits to suggest otherwise so I presume it is him singing and playing the guitar. I was very impressed (even though I later learned that my friend Jordan was originally attached to the Russell character).
I recommend this film with one simple caveat. If you choose to watch THE SECOND AGE OF AQUARIUS, please keep in mind that this is a lower budget film that looks and feels that way. If you have an aversion to that then you probably won’t like it (and will miss so many great films if you passively use a budget as a guide-stone).
It seems to me that Staci Layne Wilson, and co-writer Darren Smith, made a conscience decision to keep the feel of the film true to its independent spirit. It pulls the right levers to wrangle several possible stumbling blocks into a cohesive and quaint comedy.
How to Watch!:
Release: VOD on Friday, February 11, 2022. It will be on many platforms, and can be preordered through iTunes and AppleTV:
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-second-age-of-aquarius/id1606339608
Apple TV: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/the-second-age-of-aquarius/umc.cmc.64qf3phcs7omn746xz3th988s
Soundtrack: https://russellaquarius.hearnow.com/
Book: https://amzn.to/3J3eI39