Let's say I did not expect this movie to be that simple and true. And yet rich, with so many ways people can go wrong. You can even read the scenario your own way, somehow. Imagine it if it stretched endlessly instead of being forced into less than two hours. And you would see what your life could become if you don't pay attention...so true...it did surprise me, and there are unfinished moments, some moments in which the "resolution" hangs in the air, and you fill in with your own end to the moment, and then see that the movie turns another way instead...it could have been done in an even more "true" way though, especially more on the "dream" side, which seems kind of empty...even though it's there!

There are comedies, there are dark comedies, and then there are comedies that are so dark that you're not sure if you're even supposed to laugh. I'm not using the word "dark " to mean "morbid" or "frightening" but instead I'm using it to mean sarcastic, very satirical, and without the usual jokes, levity & gags that usually accompany comedies. "Brazil", "Dr. Strangelove", "The Trial" and "Catch-22" are perhaps the greatest films of this category, and if you've seen any of them you probably know what an odd experience they are. You also probably know how hard it is to find films like them."The Visioneers" fits squarely in that darker-than-dark category. While this movie is categorized a dark comedy, there are no jokes, zingers & knee-slapping punchlines like the word "comedy" might imply. Instead the humor comes from the sheer bizarreness of the situation, in the satirical presentation (very tongue-in-cheek), and in the odd, mostly emotionless reactions the characters have to preposterous situations. In that respect, it is indeed similar to the classic "Brazil" which is mentioned on the DVD cover. It also has a cold, brooding vibe similar to a Charlie Kaufman flick ("Being John Malkovich", "Synecdoche NY") or the great offbeat comedies "Punch Drunk Love" and "Joe Vs the Volcano" and maybe even a hit of Truffaut's 1966 "Fahrenheit 451" (especially concerning the mind-numbed wife constantly watching TV).Insanely funny minor characters, like Missi Pyle (one of Hollywood's funniest second-fiddles) playing the neurotically unbalanced talk show host who becomes obsessed with butter, or Ryan McCann playing "Mac Luster" the Zoolander-Meets-Rambo action hero, or Matthew Glave as the Nazi health trainer, keep the comedy rolling even though there isn't a big focus on zingers and not really much action at all. A love story develops in the second half which is surprisingly sentimental and touching despite the outlandish circumstances surrounding the characters.The plot itself is a straightforward dystopian nightmare: in a not-so-distant future (though very reminiscent of the cheezy 1980s with laughably bad propaganda commercials), a mid-level manager played by Zach Galifianakis begins to "suffer" from the phenomenon of dreaming. At the same time, a weird epidemic is hitting society whereby people spontaneously explode. And the tyrannical corporation he works for seems to have an unhealthy interest in what's going on.If you immediately sense echoes of "Brazil" (the story of a corporate nobody who begins to develop a conscience) and perhaps similarities to "Joe Vs the Volcano" (same type of story), you're on the right track. "Visioneers" is a little more low key than those two, meaning there's not as much action, drama or overt comedy. But it has unique personality of its own, somewhere between the aforementioned classics and a small town satire like "Edward Scissorhands". This movie forsakes the customary surreal city setting in lieu of a more intimate suburban middle-America setting. Indeed a notable difference between this flick and the others I've mentioned is its lack of grandeur. It doesn't try to impress us with enormous sets and infinite labyrinths of skyscrapers, office desks and bureaucracies.Budget constraints are probably to blame for the lack of grand visuals, and usually I don't hold it against a film for having a low budget. But still I have to dock the film a star or two because I feel like the grand approach is the way to go when dealing with a subject like this. Going all the way back to Orson Welles' masterpiece "The Trial" or even wayyy back to the beginning with Fritz Lang's "Metropolis", powerful visuals stun audience into feeling the weight of the crushing enemy: organized society itself. But other than that minor, subjective preference of mine, I thought this movie was fantastic.The ending, if I read it correctly, is much more than meets the eye. Be sure to consider it carefully before interpreting it.If you like any or all of these films I've mentioned, don't hesitate to rent or even buy "Visioneers" (by the way, if you live near a Dollar Tree store, you can find this great title brand new for exactly $1 which will leave you plenty extra to buy some popcorn (skip the butter... that's a reference to a bizarre woman's butter obsession in the movie).When you consider it's been years, if not decades, since there's been a good absurd satire like this which is unafraid to dive boldly into the bizarre, this flick has all the makings of a modern classic. So count search your couches for change and run down to the Dollar Tree to grab this one. Or even if you just Netflix it, it'll be time well spent.

I see other reviews complaining that the movie wasn't funny enough, and I must say that those reviewers have tragically missed the whole point.This isn't the sort of black-comedy that should be compared to Dr. Strangelove (as one reviewer did) which has an overall apocalyptic theme with still hysterical comic delivery. Visioneer's flavor of black-comedy is more closely akin to that of "Fargo." It's a truly sad and moving story that has comedic elements which foil that sadness, making it all the more tear-inducing to watch.I'll try to be more specific. The irony that a completely heartbreaking story would contain whimsical elements lends a beautiful sense of illness to the movie. That sweet illness is what Visioneer has in common with Fargo. However, where Fargo's comedy arises from the viewer's constantly misplaced pity, the Visioneer's comes from a silly childlike spontaneity.That compare/contrast with Fargo is the best I can explain it without having spoilers. Beyond that all I can say is this movie kicked me right in the feelings in a wonderful way. Watch it!

I have a difficulty calling "The Visioneers", a black comedy. Although satire is present, the narrative of the movie is almost immediately cold. And while the level of absurdity could be easily paired with "Brazil", the attitude of this movie is quite different and addresses subjects very aggressively. "Idiocracy" would be closer on satire scale, but "the Visioneers" just does not have enough funny moments to call it a comedy. Some parts of the movie were just tedious and annoying, and the humor felt like it was not thorough - silly if you will - which took away from the seriousness of this film and added no value to the themes. Perhaps the directors intended it that way, but viewers have to pay attention to film's theme and subjects before watching."The Visioneers" is not anywhere close to "the Hangover"-type comedy, which would draw a crowd expecting slapstick humor,(and getting bored instead.) Although they compliment it really well, I wouldn't also compare this movie to "Doctor Strangelove" or even 1984 (which is a book, people, and I read it and Brave New World, too. The one book it reminds most of is "the Giver".)