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Brainstorm is a science-fiction movie from 1983 that explores the possibilities of recording human experiences and emotions through technology. The film was directed by Douglas Trumbull and features an all-star cast including Christopher Walken, Natalie Wood, and Louise Fletcher. The movie is set in the near future, where two top scientists, Michael Brace (Walken) and Lillian Reynolds (Wood), are working on a revolutionary new device called "The Hat." The Hat is a brain scanner that can record and play back a person's thoughts and experiences in vivid detail. The device can even simulate emotions, allowing the wearer to relive pleasurable experiences like falling in love or taking exotic vacations.

However, the team's research takes a dangerous turn when Lillian dies while wearing The Hat, leaving her memories trapped inside the device. Michael, consumed with grief and guilt, becomes obsessed with using The Hat to explore Lillian's memories and understand what happened to her. With the help of his colleagues, including Karen Brace (Wood) and Dr. Paul McPherson (Cliff Robertson), Michael sets out to uncover the secrets of The Hat, but they soon realize that their invention has the power to change the course of humanity forever.

As they delve deeper into the technology behind The Hat, Michael, Karen, and Paul begin to experience their own share of dangerous and life-altering visions. With the line between reality and fantasy becoming harder and harder to distinguish, the trio must face the potential consequences of their invention and consider whether it's worth risking everything to control the human experience.

Brainstorm is a movie that explores themes of ethics, technology, and the human psyche. Throughout the film, the characters grapple with the moral implications of their invention, particularly as they begin to realize the potential dangers of playing with people's memories and emotions. The movie's heartfelt performances from the cast bring the characters and their struggles to life, particularly Natalie Wood's portrayal of Lillian Reynolds, which takes on an eerie poignancy given her untimely death shortly before filming ended.

What makes Brainstorm stand out is the visual flair and creativity of director Douglas Trumbull, who is best known as the special effects wizard behind movies such as 2001: A Space Odyssey and Blade Runner. Trumbull uses a variety of innovative camera techniques to bring the characters' experiences to life, including split screens, point-of-view shots, and intricate visual effects that create a sense of immersion in the characters' memories.

Brainstorm is a thought-provoking movie that asks important questions about technology, memory, and the nature of human experience. It's a film that challenges viewers to consider the ethical implications of new technologies that allow us to control and manipulate the human psyche.

Brainstorm is a 1983 fantasy movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 57.