What can go wrong during an experiment run in a classroom and supervised by an experienced teacher? One will think that nothing can go wrong. But what if it does? What’s next? Who to blame? Or what would be the implications of that incident? Anything like this that may happen in a public school, is a serious matter. Also, everything outside the school may be linked to the incident and lead to the dangerous outcome inside of institution the aim of which is to educate the new generation. Films like “The Rainbow Experiment” brings up many questions. But do not hurry to look for the answers. Life is not always about finding the right answer, but about serving an example. What really matters is from what perspective we see it.
The film starts with a horrible incident which results in having one student burn in the classroom in front of his classmates. In a critical condition, the student is taken to the hospital, while the viewer is left to question what has happened and how? Could this be prevented? Who is responsible? This sets a tsunami of chilling details that will remind us all that the society we live in needs a cure for a very dangerous disease yet to be identified.
The opening scene brings up to a long hallway in the school. A phone keeps on ringing persistently but nobody picks it up. We see the fire department crew from afar. Next, a student talks to the camera, preparing the viewer for what we are about to learn. We are taken back to the classroom where the shocking event is about to happen. In the meantime, the principal Williamson is sending invitations to all the parents to attend a forthcoming meeting scheduled on the same day, to discuss security measures of the school. All of this we see through the eyes of the student who tells the story. That same student is the victim currently in a coma. His name is Matty Fairchild.
As the story unfolds, we meet Nicky Kazan, a man whose path crosses with another parent – David McKenna. Adam Kazan, another character of the film is a drug dealer, who thinks it is better he sells drugs to students, instead of someone else with some fishy past. Principal Williamson also has his personal issues to deal with. There are also teachers who are involved in affairs with other teachers or even students. All is these events take place during a two-hours-long nail-biting-journey, which takes us on an emotional roller coaster. There are more than twenty characters who are equally important, as “The Rainbow Experiment” is told in such an absorbing and shocking way.
In conclusion, written and directed by Christina Kallas, “The Rainbow Experiment” gives a spectacular view of the event that was meant to go wrong even before its start. This is a smart story with a brilliant reflection of our painfully sickening society. Of course, nothing is going to get any better unless we learn that playing with life – ours or someone else’s – is a game that can’t have a happy ending. In the end, a word about the cast. Kallas’ movie has no big names in it but through their incredible performance, they turn into a really stellar cast. Finally, keep in mind not to let yourself be distracted during the closing credits. What you will see and hear is probably the most logical conclusion ever provided.