The Lost Room

There is a famous quote that any technology significantly above the understanding of the beholder would be seen as magic. When the first motion pictures of a train where exhibited the audience ducked for cover think the train would jump off the screen at them. Now, we may be somewhat jaded by the technology all around us. This may be one reason why the topic of magic is now popular. The line between magic and technological wonders is still a fine one. The Science Fiction Channel has been bringing little movies and mini series for awhile now; some have hit, others miss. One solid hit in this channel’s programming is ‘The Lost Room’. It presents magic in the guise of ultra-advanced technology with a hearty mixing of the thriller and mystery genres. This imaginative, well written and excellently cast production a shining star in the list of Sci-Fi Channel original programming and that is saying a lot. It has everything I look for in a sci-fi or fantasy work; a complex back story, interesting characters and a completely formed, internally consistent universe as a setting. Blending the supernatural with the high tech is not new but here it is done with more class than most television series can even dream of having.

This three (or six) part series starts in a seedy pawn shop where a strange and most likely highly illegal deal is about to go do. Instead of drugs the object for sale is a key, one that can open any lock with tumblers. While this would seem like something highly prized by your local break in thief the key holds much more appeal for those after it. This is evident by the two million dollar payment made for the innocent looking key. Right after the deal a mysterious man, Howard Montague (Roger Bart), better known as the Weasel, takes out a ball point pen and clicks it. The next thing you know the police are there looking at the crook, apparently incinerated. The lead detective on the case, Joe Miller (Peter Krause) is soon drawn into a far deeper mystery. Joe is a single dad just trying to balance the violence he sees at work and providing a safe home for his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). When a survivor of the pawn shop murders, Iggy (Jorge Pallo), is taken into police custody he has the key in his possession. The police let him go and Iggy is gunned down by men in the Weasel’s employ. He manages to use the key and transports himself to Joe’s apartment. Before he dies he tells Joe that the key opens every door and gives it to him. Joe uses it and winds up in a little desert motel. Using it on another door he finds himself on a tropical beach. Anna finds the key and while playing discovers that the room hotel room resets every time the door is closed and reopened. When she is lost in the room during a kidnapping by the Weasel Joe is pulled into a search for his daughter and the discovery of the mysterious room. Joe learns that the room and the mysterious, powerful objects where a side effect of an experiment in 1961. There are many groups after the objects, none with common goals. Among them is the Legion, dedicated to keeping the objects from doing harm. Their emissary, Jennifer Bloom (Julianna Margulies), tries to warn Joe about the dangers and joins up with Joe in his search. There is also a group of collectors after the objects as well as the ‘Order of Reunification’ who feel the objects once reunited will allow them to speak directly to God. At the heart of it all is the experiment that caused the fabric of the universe to rip. The unfolding story is complex and requires a lot of attention to comprehend but it is well worth it.

The Science Fiction channel has been putting out a series of done of the cheap flicks almost every week. Thankfully, they decided to do this story with the attention it deserves and present it as a mini series. With a story so rich in detail, back story and character development it take six hours to do credit to it. There is a film noir feel to the series. A darkness that pervades the piece that holds on to the audience. Exposition is all important here and it is artfully done with the introduction of a drifter, Wally (Peter Jacobson). He has a bus ticket that sends people to a post outside the motel and also seems to know just enough to keep the plot moving. In any well written fantasy story you need something to ground it a bit. Some sub plots must be present to ensure the audience can identify with the characters. Here you have the unfolding mystery from the perspective of a nosey medical examiner, Dr. Martin Ruber (Dennis Christopher) who is drawn independently into the fray. Adding a touch of conspiracy theory, religious mania and a good old fashion good versus evil theme gives this series what it needs to soar above the rest of television. The pacing of this mini series is excellent, drawing you in from the first minute and holding your attention throughout the series. It is not often that television sees such a combination of writing, direction and acting but when it does its magic, or perhaps just a technology beyond our comprehension.

The cast here is well seasoned by popular television series. Peter Krause is best known for his time on the quirky but excellent HBO series, Six Feet Under. Here he plays a better ground but just as confused man looking desperately for his daughter. Even in this fantastic setting he quickly bonds with the audience on an emotional level. He takes his role in such a manner that although he is in unique circumstance the audience can fully understand his motivation. Julianna Margulies has come a long way from her decade long role as a nurse in ‘ER’. Now she is stretching her acting chops with roles like this. Here she is a strong willed and determined woman dedicated to her mission. Dakota Fanning one appeared in another Sci-Fi mini series, ‘Taken’. Now her younger sister, Elle Fanning, follows in the family tradition and adds her considerable young talents here. She is sweet, endearing and captures the hearts of the audience at once.

This series is certain to become a Science Fiction classic. Lion’s Gate gives it the attention it deserves with the DVD release. Contrary to what main sites say about the technical specifications they series is mastered to perfection. The anamorphic 1.85:1 video is crisp and clear with an excellent color palette and contrast. The Dolby 5.1 audio is rich and fills the room. The sub woofer is alive throughout most of the production adding a great floor to the sound field. There is an extra provided for good measure with a behind the scenes featurette that goes into a lot of the production details. While so many sci-fi flicks depend on CGI effects this one plays to the mind and imagination. It is a must have for any collection and fun for the whole family.

Posted 03/29/07