Molli and Max in the Future: enter the Sci-Fi Rom-Com? (movie trailer)
When you think of romantic comedies, you might imagine cute coffee shops and awkward first dates, but Molli and Max in the Future catapults the genre light years ahead. This 2023 sci-fi romantic comedy, directed and written by the imaginative Michael Lukk Litwak in their debut feature, is like a love letter from the future, sealed with a cosmic kiss. And what better place to talk about this interstellar love story than in SFcrowsnest, where the future meets fun? Starring Zosia Mamet and Aristotle Athari as Molli and Max, this film is not your average rom-com. Set a billion years in the future where magic, sentient robots, and demigods are part of everyday life, this story takes you on a wild ride across twelve years, four planets, three dimensions, and even a space cult. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any more whimsical, one of our lovebirds can fly, and the other is a delightful half-human/half-fish.
Molli, played by the charming Mamet, and Max, portrayed by the enigmatic Athari, bump into each other in scenarios that defy not just social norms but the laws of physics too. With a supporting cast that includes the likes of Arturo Castro, Michael Chernus, and Aparna Nancherla, every character adds a layer of cosmic quirkiness to the story. Litwak, the mastermind behind this venture, was inspired to give a futuristic twist to the rom-com genre. Imagine When Harry Met Sally… but with spaceships and interdimensional travel. The film is a creation of Whiskey Bear Production, alongside Senior Post, The Family, and Choreografx, promising a visual feast not typically seen in the genre.
Filming in New York City, the team had the colossal task of transforming the familiar cityscape into a vision of the distant future. Principal photography wrapped in August 2022, and the results are nothing short of stellar.
Making its debut at the SXSW Festival in 2023, Molli and Max in the Future has already made waves with an impressive 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics like Brian Tallerico and William Earl have lauded the film for its creative spirit and super-realistic dialogue, complemented by Alex Winkler’s jazzy score.
But what really sets this film apart is its ingenious use of technology. With a limited budget, the production team employed the same visual effects technology used in Hollywood blockbusters. The Family, a New York production company, used disguise’s LED production and Virtual Production Supervisor Steve Dabal’s expertise to create expansive sci-fi worlds within a compact set.
The preparation was intense, with a year spent perfecting the look of extraterrestrial planets and planning out scenes using disguise’s pre-viz tools. Everything, from spaceship car chases to otherworldly landscapes, was meticulously crafted to blend the sci-fi elements seamlessly with the romantic storyline. For readers of SFcrowsnest, this movie might prove a novel blend of romance and sci-fi, proving that love stories can transcend time, space, and even species.
