(Originally written on September 13, 2018)
So you find yourself on the internet, reading this sentence after clicking on a link provided to you in a post, on a social media platform you probably use everyday. You’re most likely viewing this on the screen of your computer. Perhaps on the screen of your smartphone. Maybe your tablet. Whatever the case, the truth is our lives have become so inundated with technology and social media that seeing and doing things on a screen has become second nature to us. This is what Searching takes advantage of in a fascinating way. But is the film just using a cheap gimmick to attract audiences?
I don’t think so.
I think because I’ve become so used to using technology on a daily basis, watching the movie presented in this format felt incredibly comfortable to me. It was like I was navigating my own laptop or smartphone. This is something that definitely works in the film’s favour. Rather than having the typical omnipotent viewpoint audiences are usually given (where we know everything that’s happening because we see it all), here we are treated to something more smaller in scope. Something more personal. You feel a great amount of empathy for David Kim (played by John Cho) not only because he is frantically searching for a loved one, but also because he is going about it in a way that we can potentially see ourselves doing if put through similar circumstances.
It also helps that the plot continues to push forward at a steady pace as we share David’s point of view. How he interacts with his family helps us relate to him. As he begins to search for clues, we as the audience are also investigating. We gain new information when he gains new information. We experience his phone calls and FaceTime sessions with people. To shake things up, some news segments and other kinds of footage are sprinkled in as well.
I never found myself becoming fatigued or bored by looking at a movie screen just showing a blown-up computer screen. Granted, many might not be as interested in this kind of storytelling, but I actually think it’s very relevant. Especially in our society today where the internet and social media are prevalent. I also appreciate how the film portrays both the positives and the negatives of the internet, as well as the social media space, and how it points to the legitimate concerns people have about them.
Overall, I really enjoyed Searching for both its riveting story and the way it is presented. It’s certainly worth a watch. Should you watch it in theaters? That’s up to you. I’d recommend it only because you’re able to see every little detail clearly, whereas on a smaller screen (whether TV, computer or smartphone) it may not be as dynamic. If you’re still on the fence, maybe watch it on a Tuesday or use your SCENE points. But that’s just me.
- A. Shin
