In order to live as normal a life as possible, Cris Johnson hides in plain sight as a third-rate Las Vegas magician who creates the illusion of mind reading in his act. He also pads his modest income by using his psychic abilities to beat the odds at slot machines and card tables.
The appearance of two women in his life changes his solitary, secret existence. One is an FBI agent who desperately needs Cris' assistance to solve a case, and the other is a beautiful stranger whose presence allows the clairvoyant's future vision to see for days into the future instead of mere minutes.
The way in which each new relationship affects the other is the basis for a series of interrelated plot twists that keep the action moving while setting up an ending that's meant to be the final, jolting stop on a roller coaster ride.
Taken for what it is, supernatural pulp fiction, no more and no less, Next is and an entertaining and often exciting diversion. It properly belongs in the category reserved for movies that mimic graphic novels, with the expected manner of loosely drawn caricatures of heroes and villains.
An effective score by Mark Isham adds a moody atmosphere to the story.
The script for Next was adapted from a short story by Philip K. Dick titled The Golden Man, to which it bears scant resemblance. Transformed as it is into an extended, big budget Twilight Zone episode, it's well worth a look. Perhaps not two minutes from now, but in the foreseeable future
NEXT
directed by Lee Tamahori
Stars:
Nicolas Cage .............................. Cris Johnson
Julianne Moore ........................... Callie Ferris
Jessica Biel ................................. Liz
Thomas Kretschmann .............. Mr. Smith
Tory Kittles ................................... Cavanaugh
José Zúñiga ................................ Security Chief Roybal
Peter Falk ..................................... Irv
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violent action and some language
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