Solaris (2002)
solaris
Soderbergh's a funny fellow. He seems to have, with his magical charm, convinced many big players in hollywood that he's the real thing, and now gotten lots of money to make offbeat movies with. Oh, and by big players I mean people like julia roberts and george clooney. money and talent people. He even has enough clout to make a 2million dollar wannabe indie film just for kicks (Full Frontal).
Why is this? I think solaris is why.
So, this movie is about a man, Kelvin, played by George Clooney, in love with a woman. He goes to a space station, to help a friend, and finds all sorts of crazy stuff. So, this movie has a boring tagline? Sure. Indeed, if you don't get into the movie, I'm sure it'll be boring to you also.
From seeing this film, I can understand how people have been saying it will polarize audiences. It will polarize people because it doesn't obey hollywood rules which have been written in the past. Kelvin is not a completely likable character, he's a bit knocked in the head. The story isn't about the effects (no matter how wonderful they are). Shots of the leading characters are randomly intersliced with shots of the planet. Why? Don't exactly know yet.
I think that's the key to this movie. It left me with a "what just went on" feeling that made me want to discuss it with people afterwards.
Ok, so this isn't a very cohesive review. I'll admit, it's hard to think of what to say. This movie is about guilt, and love, and the question of real happiness, and life. But, it's not saccarine about its love, and it's not bludgeoning about its ideas. There is no "Overall Question" answered by an "Overbearing Climax". It's formed as a juxtapose of the present events on the space station and the past events of Kelvin's relationship with Natasha.
How about I summarize what I thought?
This movie is a wonderful attempt at making an intelligence picture about life and death. It's slow (nowhere near as slow as artsy shtick like 2001), and it's not for those who are in the mood to see 8 Crazy Nights. It's for those who like to sit around and debate religion and science, and all the inbetweens. Or, it's for people who want to see what it's like to fathom existence.
Ok, but as in any great film, this one isn't just a directors movie. The acting is all superb (jeremy davies and natasha mchellon are both really strong, and clooney is just wonderful). Everyone talks at the right pitch. Each character is unique, but strides with the whole. And clooney just makes this man's journey seem convincing.
And this is a darn pretty movie too. Peter Andrews (*cough*) did a wonderful job of getting the visuals to provide substance rather than presence. Lots of tight shots, I enjoyed that; lets us see their faces. And whoever did the lighting should be commended also. The blues of the space station are perfectly in sync with the costumes and the emotions.
ok, so it isn't a perfect movie, but it trascends its minor flaws enough to cause suspension of disbelief. If you get into the groove of the film, you'll find a nice oasis of intelligence in the movie theater.
I don't know who will like this, but I'd recommend everyone see it. Everyone should see it because I need more people to talk to about it. I'll even take "boy that sucked, I fell aslepp, glad my girlfriend was there". Just give it a chance (it's only 100 minutes or so).
indeed, a weird, but touching, film. I'm glad be got Full Frontal out of his system. That movie's contrived nature allowed him to dig deep on this one and find something worth seeing.
This is why he's respected by talented people. He always tries hard to make his movies intelligent and accessable, in that order. And, the difference between him and most other directors, is that he's good at it.
3 1/2 out of 4. |
