The Net
From Metaverse
- The Net (1995) is a Thriller/Action/Drama about a computer expert whose life is "erased" by a computer conspiracy. It is written by John D. Brancato and Michael Ferris and it is a Columbia Pictures studio production directed by Irwin Winkler.
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Movie Rating
This movie is rated PG-13 for some sexuality, violence, and brief strong language.
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Movie Tagline
Her Driver's License. Her Credit Cards. Her bank accounts. Her identity. DELETED.
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Characters
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Main Characters
- Angela Bennett- an introverted computer program analyst whose identity is erased over a stolen computer disk.
- Ruth Marx- the fake identity Angela is forced to believe she has become after her real identity is deleted from all personal records.
- Jack Devlin- the suave antagonist who forms a relationship with Angela as he tries to steal the mysterious disk.
- Dr. Alan Champion- Angela's old therapist and ex-boyfriend who is the only one who remembers her as Angela and not Ruth.
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Minor Characters
- Mrs. Bennett- Angela's mother who has a serious case of Alzheimer's Disease and cannot remember her daughter.
- Michael Bergstrom- a troubled politician whose life is key in unraveling the mystery of the disk.
- Dale Hessman- Angela's computer friend whom she tries to help solve computer virus mysteries.
- Public Defender- the lawyer appointed to Angela after she is arrested as Ruth Marx.
- Ben Phillips- an FBI agent and friend to Alan Champion that is a hopeful link for helping Angela recover her stolen life.
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Themes, Symbols, Motifs
- Memory Loss
- Identity Theft
- Anonymity of computer identities and the inability to trust people in cyberspace
- The power of viruses
- The assumption that computer information is absolutely reliable
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Cyberpunk Themes in The Net
- For 1995, the computer capabilities were in the "near" future. Angela was using the computer to order plane tickets and pizza online. In 1995, no one ever imagined they would be doing this.
- There was a concentration of a network of computers. This network dominated every part of Angela's identity.
- The feeling that your life is being watched and controlled. Angela's life was being controlled by Jack Devlin.
- Evil Corporations. The Gatekeeper system is a corrupt virus that hacked into highly confidential databases. The Praetorians used their expertise for evil.
- The protagonist, Angela Bennett, was a computer hacker like Neo in The Matrix and Hiro in Snow Crash.
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Discussion Questions
1. Because information is so easily accessible and all personal information is stored in computers, is it possible that this type of identity theft could really happen outside of the movies?
2. Is it ignorant to assume that storing so much valuable information on computers is safe?
3. In what way does the present day public exhibit a false sense of security when using computers and the internet?
4. Can you name any plot holes in this movie?
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Related Links
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Film Critic Reviews
Christopher Null: October 23, 2004
