MIAMI FILM FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

By Michelle Ryan

Mateo Gil’s science documentary-romantic comedy hybrid is a must-see for science lovers and romantics alike. Following the three laws of thermodynamics, Gil breaks down the complex nature of science with a humorous love story. The film follows the relationships of the “Manel-Particle,” while breaking down both physics and love.

Methodically planned, The Laws of Thermodynamics incorporates a fictional story intertwined with the truth of science. The main character, Manel (Vito Sanz), a physicist working on his Ph.D., tries to apply his science to his love life. Throughout the film, Manel, with the help of real-life scientists, guide us through the three laws of thermodynamics explaining how science influences the lives we lead.

Unfortunately, his dependence on explanation is his biggest flaw and Gil says that “the only reasonable message in the movie is what [Elena] (Berta Vázquez, Manel’s love interest) says, ‘you cannot apply the laws of physics to love,’ that’s the only true line in the movie.” The moral of the story being that the concreteness of science can’t be used to explain the conceptual existence of love; love is not a science but a state of being every person experiences differently.Because the film is structured around the three laws, the plot line can sometimes be hard to follow.

Manel’s story is interwoven with laws of physics, so the narrative storyline is not told in chronological order and is segmented. With the use of many different techniques, including slow-motion, split screen, and many many graphics, Gil keeps the attention of the audience and breaks down the science in the best way any non-physicist can, and I applaud him for that. The clash of romance, comedy, and the scholarly material is one that I found enjoyable and entertaining.

Needing to match the scientist interviews with the fictional parts of the film required great attention to detail. Gil walked around with a stopwatch throughout production to ensure that all the pieces would fit precisely together, just as science does. Learning that the film only spent less than two months in principal photography, further proved how detailed and thorough the planning of The Laws of Thermodynamics was. It solidified how important preproduction is, and made me appreciate the film that much more. Being able to experience the World Premiere of such a unique film combining two of my favorite things, humor, and science, was one that I am glad to have been given. Due to popular demand, The Laws of Thermodynamics will be playing again at the Miami International Film Festival this Sunday, March 18th, 9:15 PM at MDC’s Tower Theater. This might be your last chance to see the film on the big screen outside of Spain, and I wouldn’t let this opportunity pass you by.