Absolutely Anything: A Recap of the 2015 Comedy Film
The film Absolutely Anything, released in 2015, follows the journey of Neil Clark, a mediocre professor and aspiring writer, who unexpectedly gains infinite power. Alongside his talking dog, Dennis, Neil embarks on a mission to navigate the complexities of his newfound abilities and ultimately prove humanity’s worthiness to the universe.
A Cosmic Opening
The narrative begins with the Atlas Centaur rocket, launched in 1972 to seek intelligent life in the cosmos. Inside the rocket, human drawings and a map signify a mission beyond just exploration; it hints at a connection to humanity that will resonate throughout the film.
Fast forward several years, Neil Clark has written a looming bestseller, showcased in an interview with the journalist Catherine. However, his triumph is short-lived as he awakens from an embarrassing dream involving a horde of dogs. His reality is a stark contrast; he struggles to finish his novel and deal with the annoyance of his neighbor, Fiona, urging him to control his barking dog.
Galactic Council and the Assignment of Power
Meanwhile, light-years away, the Intergalactic Council debates the fate of Earth after learning of humanity's distressing lifestyle. One member argues for a chance of redemption, proposing that a random human should be endowed with the power to "absolutely do anything," allowing humanity to demonstrate their moral compass.
The chosen individual turns out to be Neil. Shortly after being struck by a bicycle, Neil finds himself endowed with extraordinary powers. Initially lost and confused, Neil contemplates his everyday struggles, including late arrivals to work and unruly students, making him a relatable character facing typical challenges.
The Consequences of Infinite Power
At first, Neil uses his powers for trivial tasks, including cleaning up after Dennis or getting a drink. However, as he begins to realize the extent of his abilities, a mix of chaos and comedy ensues. When he accidentally wipes out his entire class, he resurrects them, leading to farcical consequences such as a zombie apocalypse.
Neil's power grows uncontrollable, as he transforms his negative experiences into positive ones for himself, altering his surroundings and the people in his life. He creates ideal classroom conditions, transforms enemies into friends, and even meddles in romantic affairs, demonstrating the frivolity that comes with extraordinary powers. His friend Ray becomes infatuated with a co-worker after repeated modifications, revealing the film's deeper commentary on love, consent, and manipulation.
As Neil's life spirals with his actions, his relationship with Catherine becomes complicated. She initially sees him as a friend but soon questions his intentions after he uncritically uses his powers to win her affection. The film cleverly illustrates how quick fixes using power do not equate to genuine affection or connection.
Conflict escalates when Catherine’s possessive ex-boyfriend, Colonel Grant, learns of Neil’s powers and attempts to manipulate Neil to fulfill his whims. This leads to a final standoff where Neil must choose between saving Dennis or succumbing to Grant’s demands, ultimately leading to a battle of wits between Neil's comedic blunders and Grant's aggression.
Realizing the havoc he has wrought, and feeling guilt over his failures, Neil contemplates suicide after the destructive consequences of his attempts to improve the world. However, in a twist, it’s Dennis who saves him, illustrating the bond between pet and owner. The aliens, observing Neil’s evolution through these trials, deliberate over the fate of humanity, debating whether to reset Earth’s clock.
In a turn of events meant to win back Catherine, Neil relinquishes his powers to Dennis, understanding that a responsible being will wield them better. In a moment designed for redemption, Dennis eliminates the alien threat and saves Earth from destruction.
The film wraps up with Neil returning to a simpler life, free of powers but hopeful. He invites Catherine to dinner, showing that authentic connections are built on understanding rather than manipulation. The comedic elements paired with deeper philosophical questions about love, power, and morality leave audiences pondering long after the credits roll.
Absolutely Anything cleverly merges science fiction with comedy while presenting a cautionary tale about the dangers of supreme power. The film ultimately champions the value of human connection over supernatural intervention, a timeless message illuminated in a uniquely humorous style.
Do you think Neil made the right choices with his powers? Share your thoughts below! If you enjoyed this recap, like and subscribe for more cinematic insights!
Part 1/8:
Absolutely Anything: A Recap of the 2015 Comedy Film
The film Absolutely Anything, released in 2015, follows the journey of Neil Clark, a mediocre professor and aspiring writer, who unexpectedly gains infinite power. Alongside his talking dog, Dennis, Neil embarks on a mission to navigate the complexities of his newfound abilities and ultimately prove humanity’s worthiness to the universe.
A Cosmic Opening
The narrative begins with the Atlas Centaur rocket, launched in 1972 to seek intelligent life in the cosmos. Inside the rocket, human drawings and a map signify a mission beyond just exploration; it hints at a connection to humanity that will resonate throughout the film.
Part 2/8:
Fast forward several years, Neil Clark has written a looming bestseller, showcased in an interview with the journalist Catherine. However, his triumph is short-lived as he awakens from an embarrassing dream involving a horde of dogs. His reality is a stark contrast; he struggles to finish his novel and deal with the annoyance of his neighbor, Fiona, urging him to control his barking dog.
Galactic Council and the Assignment of Power
Meanwhile, light-years away, the Intergalactic Council debates the fate of Earth after learning of humanity's distressing lifestyle. One member argues for a chance of redemption, proposing that a random human should be endowed with the power to "absolutely do anything," allowing humanity to demonstrate their moral compass.
Part 3/8:
The chosen individual turns out to be Neil. Shortly after being struck by a bicycle, Neil finds himself endowed with extraordinary powers. Initially lost and confused, Neil contemplates his everyday struggles, including late arrivals to work and unruly students, making him a relatable character facing typical challenges.
The Consequences of Infinite Power
At first, Neil uses his powers for trivial tasks, including cleaning up after Dennis or getting a drink. However, as he begins to realize the extent of his abilities, a mix of chaos and comedy ensues. When he accidentally wipes out his entire class, he resurrects them, leading to farcical consequences such as a zombie apocalypse.
Part 4/8:
Neil's power grows uncontrollable, as he transforms his negative experiences into positive ones for himself, altering his surroundings and the people in his life. He creates ideal classroom conditions, transforms enemies into friends, and even meddles in romantic affairs, demonstrating the frivolity that comes with extraordinary powers. His friend Ray becomes infatuated with a co-worker after repeated modifications, revealing the film's deeper commentary on love, consent, and manipulation.
Conflicts and Revelations
Part 5/8:
As Neil's life spirals with his actions, his relationship with Catherine becomes complicated. She initially sees him as a friend but soon questions his intentions after he uncritically uses his powers to win her affection. The film cleverly illustrates how quick fixes using power do not equate to genuine affection or connection.
Conflict escalates when Catherine’s possessive ex-boyfriend, Colonel Grant, learns of Neil’s powers and attempts to manipulate Neil to fulfill his whims. This leads to a final standoff where Neil must choose between saving Dennis or succumbing to Grant’s demands, ultimately leading to a battle of wits between Neil's comedic blunders and Grant's aggression.
Redemption Arc and Giving Up Power
Part 6/8:
Realizing the havoc he has wrought, and feeling guilt over his failures, Neil contemplates suicide after the destructive consequences of his attempts to improve the world. However, in a twist, it’s Dennis who saves him, illustrating the bond between pet and owner. The aliens, observing Neil’s evolution through these trials, deliberate over the fate of humanity, debating whether to reset Earth’s clock.
In a turn of events meant to win back Catherine, Neil relinquishes his powers to Dennis, understanding that a responsible being will wield them better. In a moment designed for redemption, Dennis eliminates the alien threat and saves Earth from destruction.
Conclusion: A New Beginning
Part 7/8:
The film wraps up with Neil returning to a simpler life, free of powers but hopeful. He invites Catherine to dinner, showing that authentic connections are built on understanding rather than manipulation. The comedic elements paired with deeper philosophical questions about love, power, and morality leave audiences pondering long after the credits roll.
Absolutely Anything cleverly merges science fiction with comedy while presenting a cautionary tale about the dangers of supreme power. The film ultimately champions the value of human connection over supernatural intervention, a timeless message illuminated in a uniquely humorous style.
Part 8/8:
Do you think Neil made the right choices with his powers? Share your thoughts below! If you enjoyed this recap, like and subscribe for more cinematic insights!