Neverwas Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Every fairy tale needs its hero.
A well-educated psychiatrist leaves an academic career to work at an institution where his father, a novelist, lived before writing a renowned children's book. Acclimating to his position, he encounters a schizophrenic who helps him to discover the book's secrets and his place in the story.
| Aaron Eckhart | Zach Riley |
| Ian McKellen | Gabriel Finch |
| Nick Nolte | T.L. Pierson |
| William Hurt | Dr. Peter Reed |
| Bill Bellamy | Martin Sands |
| Alan Cumming | Jake |
| Michael Moriarty | Dick |
| Ken Roberts | Terrence |
| Tim Henry | Husky Sheriff |
| Joe Macaluso | Deputy Sheriff |
| Andrew Airlie | Head Editor |
| Ryan Drescher | Young Zach |
| Jim Eckhart | Haggard Therapist |
| Richard Hendery | Bartender |
| Mark Tisdale | Giant |
6.70 out of 10 (1099 votes)
Visitor Reviews
You owe me 2.5 hours of my life
posted on 30 Apr 2009which felt like 10 hours. this is one of the most stupid and horrible movies i could ever imagine sitting through. i watched at a film festival and me and my friends felt like leaving but we didn't want to hurt the director's feelings, who was sitting right there. i pride myself in avoiding crap when i go to the movies, i don't watch blockbusters or lame comedies with former SNL comedians, but this movie falls right in there with the worst of the worst. avoid it, run, go do something useful, even eating french fries would be more productive. this movie is full of holes, bad dialogue and run of the mill bad acting. i wonder how the producers conned these actors into working in this movie either that, or they accepted because they were too lazy to read the script there is nothing redeemable about this movie, take my word for it.
Wrong character name on IMDb list!
posted on 25 Feb 2009Just finished watching this and have to say that while we usually find IMDb to be spot on in regards to movie details, this one has a mistake on it. The character played by Brittany Murphy is not named Ally, but Maggie. At least thats the way it is in the Australian movie.About the movie itself - I personally found it a bit slow and hard to stay involved in it. I was able to get up and leave the room several times and upon returning found that not only did I not need to go back to see what I missed, but that I was totally indifferent to what I missed.It definitely didn't hold the kids interest either.
Very interesting
posted on 29 Dec 2008This film had a fabulous cast. With Ian Mckellan and Joshua Stern, and Jessica Lange, Nick Nolte, Aaron Eckhart, Brittany Murphy, Alan Cumming. The plot began with a psychologist that returned to work at the hospital that his father stayed at when he was a boy. The condition of his father was fuzzy and ill explained but not so important to the plot that it hindered the story telling. There was some trouble with continuity but again the actors were able to carry the story. Ian McKellen was fantastic as Gabriel Finch, his performance was reminiscent to me, of the Madness of King George. Nevertheless, he made the world of Neverwas seem real and created a sense of suspense that Joshua Stern was unable maintain as he blundered though the script. Jessica Lange was able to connect with the audience and conveyed a sense of child-like wonder running through the woods to the fairy-tale world. At least the movie didn't take itself to seriously.
A gem of a film
posted on 12 Oct 2008I'd never heard of this film, then I noticed the DVD and it had some good actors, so what the heck--I rented it. It's absolutely great! A beautifully done, well-acted, touching story with a complex plot, multi-layered characters, excellent suspense, and a lovely magical quality. It's a fairy tale, and like fairy tales, it deals with some dark material. There's a deep irony that the author of a successful children's book, a Tolkheinesque runaway best-seller, that brought people of all ages hope was himself deeply disturbed. And that the child, who modeled the boy hero, saw the book as his bane to the extent he'd never look at it. Then, in his desire to conquer his own inner dragons, he chooses to try to help others without hope--chronic mental patients. In the process he finally finds the courage to reconcile with his own past. It is also ironic and touching that the chronic mental patient, played by Ian MacClellan in a Gandalf-like role, is the one who has the information to heal the psychiatrist. One little plot issue bothered me: The father's book earned enormous royalties, which the psychiatrist inherited but never touched. It turned out that the story ideas had come from the mental patient, to whom the father had never given credit. In all fairness the psychiatrist might at least have used some of the money to benefit the old guy--buy the land for him, set up a trust fund...
A young psychiatric therapist is assigned to a mental facility where his father was once a patient.
posted on 10 Sep 2008This is a GREAT movie! It will put Joshua Michael on the map, so to speak. Ian Mckellan is his usual fantastic self, and William Hurt, Alan Cumming are fantastic in it also. Michael Moriarty is back on screen after his hiatus, and captivates completely. Cynthia Stevenson and Vera Farmiga are absolutely superb. All these great actors are playing patients in an insane asylum, as well as Ken Roberts, who plays Terrence - a surprisingly poignant performance. Mr. Roberts and the script should be nominated. This film is a bright surprise and a must-see! Kudos all around, especially for Joshua Michael Stern, whose script is the best surprise of all, however, as he intertwines pathos, comedy and the human condition into a captivating, sometimes gripping work. This will go down as one of those "Good old movies"
Hollywood at it's worst.
posted on 27 Feb 2008Having watched a lot of really low budget movies in the last few weeks, it was quite a change to experience "Neverwas". Once again, I was reminded that big names - and presumably a big budget - do not necessarily add up to a good piece of film making. "Nerverwas" is an example of all that can go wrong when you are dealing with an implausible, ludicrous script.Like many such films, it begins promisingly enough. A young Psychiatrist ( Aaron Eckhart ) returns to the mental institution where his father ( Nick Nolte ) was once a patient. Here, he encounters the crusty Head Shrinker ( William Hurt ) who is reluctant to take him on. Our hero persists, and soon he is introduced to the "group". This is where the first red flag goes up. Although it is supposed to be a group of patients, it quickly becomes apparent that the only one Dr. Zach Riley - as well as the movie - is interested in is a reclusive eccentric named Gabriel Finch ( Ian McKellan, doing his usual thing. ) We soon learn that Zach has his own problems, which center around his late father, a renown author of children's stories. There is a psychological story here dealing with the relationship between Zach and his father, but it is eventually subverted by a lot of fairy tale clap-trap. We are plunged into a typical Hollywood world of fantasy running head on into reality. As usual, it's reality and logic that suffer the most damage.In a typical case of Third Act-itis, the film totally disintegrates into downright silliness. It seems that Gabriel's "Kingdom" of Neverwas is threatened by evil developers, and it is up to Zach to save the day. What transpires next will leave you scratching your head and wondering why in the world - real or imaginary - you wasted your time with this pretentious dreck. But of course, it's all right you see, because the last scenes simply drip with feel goodness. This is supposed to make the viewer forget that the the whole thing is poppycock.I have not dwelt on the acting because, in the end, it's all pretty irrelevant. Eckhart is, by turns, suitably tortured and heroic as Zach; McKellen does his thing; Hurt is his usual semi-catatonic self and Nolte: Well, let's just say that Nolte seems to have a penchant for getting himself into movies like this. Oh, and then there's Alan Cumming as the only other patient with more than two lines as well as Brittany Murphy as a totally wasted love interest for Zach. At least Jessica Lange is good as Zach's loopy mother.All in all, a heck of a lot of talent squandered on a preposterous script. The Philip Glass score adds little.
An enjoyable flick
posted on 11 Feb 2008If you don't like emotional films, then don't watch 'Neverwas'. If you have no tolerance for more than zero plot holes, then don't watch 'Neverwas.' (For that matter, don't watch any movie.) If you don't like the underdog triumphing, then don't watch 'Neverwas.' If you do like any of these, then 'Neverwas' is a must see. Ian McClellan was superb as the man who would be king (again).I knew nothing about this movie until Netflix popped this up as "We think you might enjoy this movie based on your ratings of other movies you liked." I am certainly glad it did.I agree with one other comment I read here: The music left a lot to be desired. It didn't fit the tone of the movie.Also, the DVD was dated as a 2005 release date, but the two previews on the DVD were both for movies being released in 2007 (one of the Underdog coming out shortly). Odd.The plot could go two ways: 1) Neverwas existed and the king would lead the doctor to it, or 2) Neverwas existed only in the mind of the children's book author and its readers.Enjoyably enough the movie decided to do a third way: 3) A combination of 1 and 2.
A challenging movie that rewards the thoughtful viewer
posted on 07 Feb 2008There is absolutely no way to discuss this movie without revealing some aspects of it. On the other hand, this is not a movie that relies on the ending, but one illuminated by it. Like "Sixth Sense", this is a movie that means more on the second viewing.So, I will give away part of the basic structure of the movie. If you already plan on seeing the movie, there is no reason to continue. If not, you might as well read ahead; it might change your mind.SPOILER WARNING! For us the viewers, the story starts in the middle. Zach, son of a the famous author of the children's book "Neverwas" quits a position as a psychiatrist at a prominent college to go to a nobody's-heard-of-it institution in the community where he grew up. Zach (we learn quickly) is tormented by the suicide of this father. Like most suicide relatives, he both blames his father and himself. He has divorced himself from the fantastical world of his father's book, from all fantasy at all, from all remuneration from his father's highly successful book. For Zachary, reality is survival.He meets a delusional paranoid schizophrenic named Gabriel. What we don't get told about Gabriel until the end of the movie is his nightmarish existence as a little boy: being locked up, abused. Gabriel survived this by creating a world of his own, Neverwas. Neverwas is a world of hope and peace, a world inhabited by fairies and in which Gabriel is the benign king.Gabriel and Zach's father meet in the mental institution. Gabriel is there for his delusions, Zach's father for his bipolar-ism. The father and Gabriel become friends. Zach's father offers his belief in Neverwas. In fact, he takes Gabriel's world and turns it into his story. As each go in and out of institutions, they maintain a correspond of affection and support.Gabriel's Neverwas is on land that ultimately Zach's father purchases for him. Unfortunately, the father is not able to care for Gabriel or provide him long term security. His depressions win out and he commits suicide.The conflict/question the movie initially presents - right up until the final revelations - is what is real. The viewer is led to believe there might actually be a Neverwas. This is necessary because we need to see the world from Gabriel's eyes; and to do this we must accept him with condescension. Were we to simply see him as schizophrenic, we might feel sympathy for him, but we would never empathize with him or truly understand his needs.Unfortunately, this will lead many viewers to think this is another fantasy come true; and they will be disappointed by the "truth." However, the truths that do come out are beautiful and moving; and there is certainly the fantasy of a "happy ending", more than one has a right to expect from reality.The true story here is how people change: How Zach comes to see the need for fantasy, to forgive his father and himself; how Gabriel out of desperation has his one moment of cold reality in which he can articulate his need for Neverwas.And the movie has its moments of humor and insight and romance.For anyone willing to think and be moved, I recommend this movie highly.
Watch this if you have the chance!
posted on 23 Nov 2007This film is a tale of a psychiatrist trying to find his father's past by working in the mental hospital where his father resided in.Let me begin by saying that this film is very good! When the credits roll in the beginning, I was already shocked by the number of big names in the film. 7 really big names! This cast can only matched by super big budget films.The initial scene of group therapy in the hospital is very impressive. It showcases the various actor's talents. I was particularly impressed by Ian McKellen and Vera Farmiga playing to be mental patients. Interestingly, they both acted as psychiatrists in other recent films, namely Asylum (for Ian McKellen) and The Departed (for Vera Farmiga).Aaron Eckhart's role cannot be underestimated as well. He is mature enough to be a psychiatrist, and I was also impressed by the techniques he used to interview patients. He is very convincing as a psychiatrist! Towards the end of the film, when the focus changed Aaron Eckhart being a psychiatrist to him aligning with Ian McKellen to find the truth, is particularly gripping. It manages to get my full attention as to how the story will unfold. The plot twist is very surprising, and the finale is very emotional and visually appealing.I am very surprised that good films like this one is not released. Do watch it if you have the chance!
A fine film
posted on 06 Oct 2007I enjoyed it immensely, not being a critic, I simply can say, I identified with the human struggle which in this story wore the garb of mental illness, and the triumph of the soul, which as usual required faith and courage. I also thoroughly enjoyed the acting. Brittany Murphy was adorable opposite Aaron Echart. Ian McKellan was a wonderful depiction of a fairy tale king. This was not a low budget film and the money wan't wasted. It's curious that films like this one are released and there is no fanfare whatsoever. I am always hoping to find a sleeper and have the surprise of a great evenings entertainment. Neverwas delivered. Enough said. And I didn't even have to mention Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange or any of the other great talent in this film.
Hidden Gem
posted on 03 Aug 2007This is one of those quiet little movies that you go to see one day because you have nothing better to do and the plot sounds OK but you really haven't heard much about. Then you come out of the theatre wondering why everyone else you know hasn't gone to see it yet. Ian McKellan and Aaron Eckhart both give strong performances easily pulling off the emotionalism needed for the movie, and throwing in enough humor to keep you interested. Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange, William Hurt, and Brittany Murphy all pull off great supporting roles without overshadowing the main actors. Alan Cumming, although his role is small, really pulls at the heart strings with his portrayal of a patient of the institution.Because this movie has had little (if any) publicity, I think this movie will do well based on word of mouth alone. Definitely a "hidden gem".
Not so live from the Toronto International Film Festival
posted on 12 Jun 2007This movie has lots of potential, directed by first-time (well, first feature film at least) director Joshua Stern, and starring big names like Jessica Lange, Nick Nolte, Aaron Eckhart, Brittany Murphy, Alan Cumming, Sir Ian McKellen, and last but DEFINITELY not least, super-awesome retired MTV VJ Bill Bellamy. Oh, and there was this other guy William Hurt that the organizers seemed to make a big deal of but nobody really clapped when they said his name so I'm guessing he's not that important.The story is about a psychiatrist whose father committed suicide after writing a highly acclaimed and much beloved children's book, Neverwas. He returns to the asylum where his father was once treated to find a job, in hopes of really helping the patients. Once there, he learns some interesting things about his father's story.The movie overall was good, but it has some significant flaws. There is a love story that is totally unnecessary and contributes nothing to the story uncomfortably wedged in, but that's Hollywood for you. There are also some pretty significant plot holes, and there are many things in the story that aren't really explained very well, and are sort of left to the audience to guess how exactly they happened. Overall, I'd recommend it, but you don't need me to tell you that, because it will more than likely do great at the box office this year. Plus, there's a good chance that Sir Ian McKellen will be nominated for an Oscar this year for his role as Crazy Guy #4, because everybody knows the quickest way to an Oscar nomination is to either gain 50 lbs for a role, play a retard, or play a crazy person.Afterward, the director answered a few audience questions (which were mostly mundane and asinine), but the highlight was definitely when Nick Nolte (who looked like a Halloween costume and was quite possibly slightly drunk), stumbled up to the microphone to answer a question. He went on and on about what he had for breakfast that day and how when he was a kid he used to fight giants with magic laser beams and whatever the hell else Nick Nolte talks about, I really couldn't understand what he was saying.All in all, more enjoyable than not.
Wow!
posted on 02 Jun 2007No Reservations. The Core. Paycheck. Thank You For Smoking. Erin Brochovich. And so on and so on. Aaron easily shifts from one role to the next. I do not think that he is in any danger of becoming stereotyped. This is refreshing. I do not, however, mean to take anything away from his costars. William Hurt and Nick Nolte and Jessica Lange have not been 'A-listers' for some time but they still know how to give a powerfully moving performance. I am devoid of any real reference re Ian Mckellen and Brittany Murphy but they put in strong performances as do ones like Alan Cumming. This movie is about the dark side of life and how tormenting it can be especially regarding mental illness or deep loss. It also highlights the effects on loved ones, in particular children. The triumph of this movie is making you certain of what is fact and what is fiction and yet having that teased every inch of the way. I highly recommend this little known and highly under-appreciated movie.
Making the Ordinary and the 'Unordinary' Extraordinary
posted on 31 May 2007NEVERWAS, a little miracle of a movie written and directed by Joshua Michael Stern, is an allegory, a fairytale, a dissection of the impact of mental illness on parents and children, and story of compassion, believing, and blossoming of character that was created with a sterling ensemble of actors in 2005, failed to find a niche in theatrical distribution, and went straight to DVD - becoming one of those limited release films that is very elusive even in the megavideo stores. The reasons for this relative anonymity are not clear, but film lovers will do well searching out this little gem: the rewards are immediate gratification and long lasting satisfaction.Narrated by Ian McKellan who plays a major role in the film, the story concerns the return of psychiatrist Zachary Riley/Small (Aaron Eckhart) to an obsolete mental institution named Millhouse, the hospital where his author father T.L. Pierson (Nick Nolte) ended his days in suicide, having suffered from bipolar syndrome. Zach wants to discover secrets about his father, why his father's book 'Neverwas' has been so disturbing to Zach, and to offer good medical treatment to those patients living in the obscure hospital run by the kindly but enigmatic Dr. Reed (William Hurt). Zach is buoyant, greets his new job with joy, and works with various patients in group and individual therapy (the group includes well developed characters portrayed by Alan Cumming, Vera Farmiga, and Michael Moriarty, among others) and encounters the apparently mute Gabriel Finch (Ian McKellan), a delusional man who believes Zach has returned to break the curse preventing his return to his imaginary kingdom of Neverwas.Zach meets a 'grad student botantist'/reporter Ally (Brittany Murphy) who loves Zach's father's book and urges Zach to read the fairytale as a means to assuage Zach's new nightly nightmares and insomnia dealing with images of himself as a child, his father's suicide, and other strange forces. Ally's commitment to Zach's father's book, Zach's breakthrough to Gabriel Finch, together with Zach's re-evaluation of his agoraphobic mother (Jessica Lange) all intertwine to reestablish Zach's discovery of his relationship to a father whose mental illness prevented the close relationship Zach so desperately missed. In a tumbling set of events that incorporate the fairytale of the book Neverwas with the reality of Zach's father's relationship to Gabriel Finch brings the story to a heartwarming, well considered, touching conclusion. Being 'unordinary' is a goal, not a curse.In addition to the above-mentioned stellar cast, small parts are also created by Bill Bellamy, Ken Roberts, Cynthia Stevenson among others. The cinematography by Michael Grady manages to keep the audience balanced between real and fantasy and the musical score by renowned composer Philip Glass fits the story like a glove. Ian McKellan gives a multifaceted performance of a man whose delusional life is far more real than his life as a mental patient, Aaron Eckhart finesses the transformation of the lost child seeking his roots with great skill, Nick Nolte gives one of his finer interpretations as the disturbed father/author, and Brittany Murphy manages to maintain a much needed lightness to the atmosphere of the mental institution story setting. The impact of the film, while absorbing from the first images, is the ending, a reinforcement of the importance of love and nurturing that too often is relegated to little books for children instead of the manner in which we live our lives. This is a fine film well worth ferreting out from the obscurity to which it so unjustly has been assigned. Grady Harp
Promising
posted on 19 May 2007Zach Riley (Aaron Eckhart) is a talented, young psychologist/psychiatrist who returns to his hometown to work at the local mental institution. Dr. Reed, who runs the facility, is skeptical at why Dr. Riley would leave his prestigious position and join an institution that has barely a reputation. Dr. Riley visits his drunk mother and meets an old friend, a beautiful and well-played Brittany Murphy. Gabriel Finch, a reticent patient, surprisingly warms up to Dr. Riley and they begin therapy treatment, to the surprise of all. We soon learn, however, the everyone has an agenda and everyone has secrets. Dr. Riley's father was the tormented but brilliant author of a children's book, called Neverwas, with a character named after the youth Dr. Riley. The film is a dark, at times, fancy that wraps the stories of Dr. Riley, his father, and the mysterious patient Gabriel Finch together. The movie is well acted, and the bit parts are equally compelling. However, the ending isn't what you expect and I was left empty, wishing that the film had taken a different tact. Eckhart, as a vulnerable and tortured soul, is fantastic, a good turn from his egotistical / angry roles in previous films. Brittany Murphy is surprising elegant. Wait for the DVD.
wonderfully refreshing
posted on 09 May 2007In these times of violent, sex-ridden entertainment this movie was refreshing. The story is intensely acted, the soundtrack fit the scenes emotionally, the colors are intense and vibrant. Watch this and please enjoy. The story is easy to follow, even with the flashbacks. The emotions are well portrayed by each actor. The soundtrack fit the scenes and brought me on an emotional "ride". The scenes with the filters of light and color are quite appropriate. The storyline is unpredictable without the usual Hollywood formula that I, personally, have grown sick of. This movie makes one - anyone - feel special, despite the imperfections and ghosts that lurk beneath our emotional shields.
Magical.
posted on 28 Feb 2007I don't know where eabrownfield (reviewer) gets off telling people to "stay away" from Neverwas. This is a magical, and very touching story.An excellent premise with a superb cast and stellar performances from all involved. The scenic settings were well shot and lit, often showing the differences between the dark and lighter sides of life.I say dark, yes there are parts in this film that are hard hitting, poinient moments that really make you think and get you inside the characters being played, again i think this is down to the great acting.The flip side is the fairy tale narrative that runs through the whole film, not that it turns in to a children's film at all, as its a story I'm sure many can relate to and will enjoy being told in this fashion. I will say it probably deserves its pg13 rating, its perhaps not for the very young, despite its fairy tale like appearance.Overall go and see this film, you wont be disappointed, i had a great time.
Great story, miscued in its execution.
posted on 14 Feb 2007I just saw this on DVD. The story is excellent, with a message for all, although leaves lots of unanswered questions.I thought the characters were well cast & well directed. Ian McKellen is superb in that role, obviously borrowing from Gandalf &, maybe, even from his Richard III (1995).My enjoyment of the film was, however, marred by a very poor choice of background music. I feel that this film could've been a sight better without the twee, 'neo-classical' piano plinking which, in my opinion, turned this film into a TV movie.A watchable, though obviously low budget film. Perhaps some money could have been better spent on effects, rather than background music.
I wish this movie Neverwas made!
posted on 19 Oct 2006Wow am I tired after watching that snoozer of a movie. Neverwas stars Aaron Ekheart who is Zachery Small the little boy who is the hero of Neverwas in the book. Why is it many fantasy films are contained within books like The Nevereding Story which is ten times better of a movie. Brittany Murphy actually surprised me as being pretty good in this movie. And the dude from Lord Of The Rings loses his marbles as a mental patient who thinks he is the king of Neverwas. This film also stars Nick Nolte who is Zachery's father and the author of Neverwas. I thought this movie would get cool and Zachery would trip out halfway through the movie and have a crazy dream sequence. Nope... This movie sucked. And my co-worker at Blockbuster also thought it sucked. So if you like fantasy movies don't watch this film as it will be a very painful watch especially if your like me and wait to see if the movie will eventually pick-up. Not this time around and I wish this movie Neverwas made.
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Mental Illness Lite
posted on 09 Jul 2009Neverwas is a muddled film that reduces the heartbreak of the disease of schizophrenia to a fanciful lark of literary imagination and children's fanciful dreams. Gabriel (Ian McKellan) is a hospitalized mental patient whose terrors of childhood abuse has driven him away from society and into the forest where he has constructed a kingdom of Neverwas. Zack (Aaron Eckhardt) is a psychiatrist who leaves an academic career to take a position in a small mental hospital where his celebrated writer/father Tom was committed and where he encounters Gabriel, who recognizes Zack as the child of the Neverwas myth. Haunted by the mythic story of Zack Small, the boy hero of his father's best seller children's book, also titled "Neverwas," Zack attempts to bring peace to the troubled minds of the mental patients and understand the clues which Gabriel delights in leaving for him. Attempting to piece together in a non-linear route of discovery, despite night terrors, and maniacal enchantment Zack's task is to outwit the system of stifling bureaucratic medicine, legal blockades, and commercial exploitation of Neverwas through Gabriel's clues.If this begins to sound like a pitch for a feel-good, warm and fuzzy commercial spot it abounds in the film. With a superb cast of Jessica Lange as Zack's bruised alcoholic mother who can't forget her dead husband, Brittany Murphy as a reporter, Alan Cummings, and William Hurt as the hospital's administrator, Neverwas rambles toward a showdown in which Gabriel escapes to lead Zack on a merry chase back to the primeval landscape to revive his spirit of freedom from responsibility in a never ending playtime. While the premise of father-son reconciliation, redemption, forgiveness, and fulfillment weaves through the film, it is never achieved as the reality of the disease of schizophrenia can never be overlooked, and is anything but a playful romp in the forest green. The brilliant McKellen simply re-enacts his Gandalf personality with too much reliance on the seven dwarfs to come to the rescue. As the police surround the trash-heap towers Gabriel has erected on privately owned forest lands, the notion of squatters rights, eco-terrorism, and forest service clear cutting looms over the delusional situation that threaten to stop Gabriel's fantasy life. Nevertheless, this is Hollywood which requires an upbeat ending. The improbability of salvation for the kingdom, the king, and the crown prince from the scourge of mental illness is forgotten and they all live happily ever after is the ultimate absurdity.