LOGLINE
In the course of conducting experiments on memory and time during the pandemic, a lovesick scientist with a morbid fear of rejection, makes an unexpected connection.
SYNOPSIS
The night sky, New Jersey. Our protagonist, BRIAN AU, gives a small VO speech about how darkness represents the passage of time. Then we see Brian hard at work in his lab. He is on a Zoom date with a girl named NADINE, but we see from his labelling of her as a "Memory Participant" that the date also serves as testing for Brian’s paper. He tells another Zoom date, LAURA, that he studies “the role of thermodynamics and quantum mechanics in signaling the amygdala to either remember forwards or backwards in time.” He makes an observation – after his subject makes an excuse to end the call – that the further into the encounters he goes, the fuzzier the memory of his subject. With CALLIE, Brian confesses that he does not wish to propose or say “I do” with his partner first, but, rather, expects the girl to make the first move (so that he would never have to risk getting rejected). Callie asks - how does he know this will happen when the time comes? Recognizing that he doesn't have the answer, Brian goes back to the drawing board. He takes a chance on a new hypothesis and a new Zoom date to disastrous results. On the brink of giving up, he decides to collect data on one more participant - a fellow PhD and scientist - but immediately regrets the decision when MIMI FRANK begins by berating Brian about his methodology, and criticizing his online profile. He tells her that he changes his name “Au, Brian” to “O’Brien” so his dates won’t take a hard pass on him before they get to know him. (Because they see an Asian last name.) Remorseful, Mimi asks Brian to turn his video on. Seeing he likes Star Trek, she shows off her Star Wars R2-D2 tote bag. They question each other about why they want to control time in their own way. Mimi reveals she wanted to stop time because her mother passed away from COVID. She says Brian’s paper helped, but there are some theories that could use further testing. They agree to meet in person. They work together, go on walks, and eventually share their first kiss. After they make love, Mimi contemplates if she wanted to stop time for selfish reasons. She rewired her brain to stop the pain of losing her mother. Later, the couple attends a Zoom church service, where the priest gives a sermon on entropy, and how love is not subject to time. The film ends with Mimi and Brian moving in together.
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