Absolutely the best thing about The God Project (and there are many from which to choose) is the completely nebulous and subjective way in which Joshua's life is presented. This gives rise to endless interpretations -- and therefore endless debates -- which is, of course, a theme at the very heart of the film itself.

In fact, it's the relationships between the characters that help keep us on the ground as the overpowering metaphysical discussions threaten to carry us away into the ether. Joshua's quiet social reserve, at first presented as such, is soon revealed to be much more debilitating than we initially thought. But the very first glimpse we get of this anxiety may also be the last, as Mary lights a fire within Joshua that turns out to be every bit as literal as it is metaphorical, you'll find. Joshua's bond with Henry (Damon Williams), on the other hand, is purely intellectual, the two friends poring over mind-boggling equations and calculations with an intensity that belies the ease with which they ponder subjects so out of reach for most people.

There are a number of solid performances in the film, and each character is drawn as completely and perfectly as they individually need to be. In the world of The God Project, however, everything is given to us in terms of Joshua himself, the pros and cons of everyone around him glancing off his character with slightly new definition and meaning. Technically, the film is as sound as can be, a statement which can only serve as a wink to anyone involved with The God Project's post-production process. From the first frame, the audience is eased into an aurally placid, ethereal half-dream and promptly jolted back to reality by everyday life despite the fact that Joshua's evolving clairvoyance gives at least a few moments' warning. It's a technique that is used (but not overused) very consistently and selectively, giving due process to the obviously developmental stage in which Joshua's psychic ability currently resides. For all the maddening yet fascinating cerebral hullabaloo the script provides, it also forces us to take everything in manageable bites, bringing us to the brink of our individual capacities but never forcing us across the threshold.

It is said that writers and filmmakers make choices as they wind their way through the maze that is their storytelling, and The God Project is a painstakingly-constructed metaphysical maze made of all the right choices. The film has been accepted to The Santa Fe Metaphysical Film Festival, which runs September 18-21 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Check back with Movie-Popcorn for information on the film's eventual DVD release, once it becomes available.

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