Actual science fiction is an uncommon thing to find in the cinema. Think of it, when was the last time you watched a science fiction film that didn't center on aliens, demons, zombies or hippies in bathrobes carrying light sabers?

Sam Rockwell portrays Sam Bell a worker on an isolated moon station. Bell is alone - totally alone. As one would expect, his solitude has its price. Slowly, Bell is losing his grip on reality. He is hallucinating and getting confused.

The only company Bell enjoys is a boxy computer named Gerty, voiced by Kevin Spacey. Gerty is an obvious throwback to 2001: A Space Odyssey's HAL 3000 with his passive voice and mechanic responses. Gerty is little more than a computerized butler and is incapable of overcoming Bells building loneliness.

This is a film that makes me hesitant to delve too deeply into its plot. There are too many ways for me to ruin what is a very thoughtful, delicate script. I am loathe to take anything away from your first viewing. I will say that director Duncan Jones handles Nathan Parker's script perfectly. Parker worked off of Jones' story idea, so its not shocking that their efforts blended so seamlessly. The end result is remarkably good. Rockwell gives what is easily his best performance and I do think much of his success is rooted in the sharp script he gets to deliver.

The first third of the film I thought I could predict what was happening. This is because 99% of the time I can. I've seen thousands of movies and after a while the patterns of story are just there for you to see. I am not an easy many to surprise or impress when it comes to movies. I misread this one and I did not know where it was going. That alone makes me recommend it. Unpredictability is a seriously rare commodity these days.

Bottom line: if you enjoy intelligent, patient science fiction this should be on your short list of films you need to see. I can't fathom you will be anything but satisfied.

This is what film should be: smart, meaningful and compelling.


Related Reviews:
Sam Rockwell movies
Frost/Nixon (2008)
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)


Other Critic’s Reviews:
Movies for the Masses
Film School Rejects





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Labels: film, Kevin Spacey, movie review, Sam Rockwell, science fiction