ANOTHER VERSION OF YOU is writer/director Motke Dapp’s charming, well scripted, well acted feature film – that takes the audience on a ride to parallel universes and beyond.
Diggsy has always been in love with Suzette. After she marries another man, a mysterious stranger offers Diggsy a gift – a key that opens doors into parallel universes – where other versions of Suzette may not only exist – but where one of them could possibly even love him back.
The film brings you right into the story with a wonderful opening scene at Suzette’s wedding – in slow motion. The original music (Rick Wright) and cinematography (Micah Simms) in this film are pitch perfect and emote the right feeling at the right time.
We meet Diggsy (Kristopher Wente) after he has attended Suzette’s wedding. Drinking from a flask to ease the pain of watching the love of his life marry another man, he decides to go to a bar to continue to drown his sorrows – rather than attend her reception. He is met by a stranger who hands Diggsy a key – a key to parallel universes – where we are all different versions of ourselves. The key opens the door to adventure and possibility – but it also opens the door to not being able to go back to your own world.
As we go on the journey with Diggsy, we are invested and along for the ride every step of the way. Wente’s portrayal of Diggsy is so layered, that with each scene, we walk alongside the character even more. His heart and his vulnerability are beautiful to watch – speaking his emotions through his eyes. His search for the Suzette who will love him – is real.
What makes this story even more fascinating is that the worlds are unpredictable. There are doors that the character must close in order to move on. “Be careful what you wish for” comes to mind as what we expect is far different from the reality – even in a parallel universe.
The rest of the cast are top of their game. Brittany Belland plays Diggsy’s devoted sister. C.J. Perry is wonderful as Gwenyth. Gwenyth is the fork in the road that Diggsy comes upon. She takes him on a different course than the one he originally embarked on. Suzette (Sara Antonio) is believable as different versions of herself – in each universe.
The film’s message seems to be in one of the film’s most poignant scenes – when Suzette is in a hospital bed. “Diggsy, that girl you’re looking for, she isn’t real”. Her words ring true – not only for Diggsy – but for all of us in this universe seeking something unattainable.
