_High Life_, I was surprised to learn, is a science fiction film directed by Claire Denis and not a publication campaigning to legalize marijuana.

The film itself is like your colleague's kid. He's presented as hyper intelligent, moody and artistic, yet the first time you see him he's just as banal and indistinct as every other co-worker's son you've ever met.

Denis uses an unnecessarily complex time line in an effort to give the film an artistic edge, but there is no art here to highlight. She metes out information overly-judiciously in an attempt to create an intellectual movie, but the story isn't that intelligent so the film looks like me that one autumn I tried to dress trendy and fooled absolutely no one.

Robert Pattinson, one of the more talented actors working today, does a fine job with his role though there's not a lot for him to work with. It's as though the chef from _Good Time_ is given a handful of ground beef with which to make a meal. Yes, it's a great cheeseburger but hell, it's just a cheeseburger.

All told, I'm thinking _High Life_ never really got off the ground. Is it too late to make it about pot?