Convergence (1999)
A AConvergence of Ideas with no clear result
6 December 2004
Since the X-Files, supernatural thrillers have become a staple for television, the cinema and, of course, direct to video release.

Convergence is one of the latter, which in itself is not necessarily a bad thing, there's often been a tendency amongst this genre for the lower budgets to yield higher rewards, but alas with Convergence this is not the case.

The plot centers on the exploits of a pair of tabloid reporters (Bear in mind we are talking American tabloids here, whose staples are UFOs, big foots and Elvis sightings), who get caught up in more than a few strange incidents themselves. Things seem to start moving when Ali (Cynthia Preston) suffers peculiar delusions and starts wandering across town, as if being called to a certain location.

After this she moves into a new apartment, near this location and starts to become a focus for paranormal events, attracting the fatherly concerns of her editor, Morley (Christopher Llyod) and the more direct attentions of her new landlord (Adrian Paul).

The plot twists, turns and spins in several directions before flying off, seemingly at random. The film then builds towards a climax, built upon the notion that 14 years previously something happened that shouldn't have, and the world is somehow trying to set things right.

If you have had any problems following what has been explained above above then you'll probably be completely lost when it comes to watching this film. There are some good ideas in here, don't get me wrong, the notion of 'convergence points' for Earth's ley-lines isn't original, but could have been used to great effect here. Also the idea of fate trying to reassert itself is interestingly used (if slightly flawed, and nowhere near as polished as in Final Destination).

Unfortunately the whole thing just doesn't sit well together. The cast is uninspiring, with only Lloyd rising to the occasion, and even then we've seen him do much better. Adrian Paul, perhaps better known as TV's 'Highlander' is truly appalling in his role, the idea of conveying any type of emotion whilst in character seems somehow foreign to him.

In short, Convergence tries for depth, it tries for meaning and it skirts interestingly around the edge of the paranormal. There are no real thrills here though, little suspense can be found and the only real conspiracy you wonder about is the one that got this onto the shelves in the first place.
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