Despite its glossy science-fiction wrapper, 'Solaris', a remake of the 1972 Russian film of the same name, is more a psychological character study; those expecting alien-busting action or adrenaline-inducing thrills and chills should definitely steer clear, because such conventions would be more than out of place in Steven Soderbergh's heavy drama.
George Clooney plays psychologist Chris Kelvin, who is called to a remote space station orbiting the titular planet where crew members have reported strange happenings and occurrences, which has led to multiple deaths and disappearances. As the opening ten minutes, this is a sophisticated, well-established idea, and I was effectively thrust into an intriguing story.
'Solaris' most glaring problem is that it is in hardly any way mainstream; to get something out of the picture you have to give 100% patience, devotion and time to absorbing every last detail or moment, every inch of dialogue. Chris begins to experience his own hallucinations on board, or so we think, but Soderbergh cleverly evolves the philosophical ideas until you have to separate reality and illusion for yourself.
'Solaris' poses daring and ambiguous questions, invoking intelligent ideas that leave you wondering for a long while. However, the tense atmosphere, while always intriguing, is never captivating or mesmerising. Despite the drama of an exemplary nature the execution struggles to sustain itself through the ninety minute running time, I liked it, but it's a film that holds the ability to frustrate some audience members, not least those looking for answers. Hardly anything is implied, so it is an open book really. Your best option is to prepare to be patient, don't search for overt answers and use your imagination - that way ensures you hold the potential to be mesmerised.
SOLARIS is a kind of film which you have to stay awake and focus because it is quite a ride. This unknown planet does something that human kind cannot understand and so did I.
Despite its difficult content in terms of the philosophical and psychological aspect, Soderbergh film still has some very interesting elements. The cinematography is very futuristic. The only disappointing aspect of the film is the acting.
If philosophical film isnt a challenge to watch, give this film a try.
Thought provoking! This film presents some extremely interesting concepts. It certainly isn't your typical sci-fi feature. It was too quiet for my taste, however. I typically go for movies that are heavy on the dialogue. The overall pace of the film was slow, as well. So. Basically. I had a love-hate relationship with this one. Lol.
Snow: "How much sleep ya need, Kelvin?
Chris Kelvin: How much sleep?
Snow: Yeah. Um, how long ya think you can go without sleep?
Chris Kelvin: Depends.
Snow: Well, when you do go to sleep... I find I sleep much better with the door locked."
Chris Kelvin (George Clooney) has come to Solaris for answers. Still broken and disconnected from the death of his wife, Kelvin is going through the motions, investigating the puzzle of what happened to the crew of the Prometheus, what drove one man to suicide and the survivors to the edge of madness. But when Kelvin's dead wife Rheya (Natascha McElhone) awakens beside him, he will discover that the greatest mysteries of all lie within our own memories and desires. In Solaris, Clooney is forced to stretch as he never has before, and without much expository dialogue to cover him. Facial expressions, gestures, even body positions allow Clooney to carry much of the film's emotional weight in fairly subtle fashion. The film's second act is strong, driven by the characters and their jumbled memories of Rheya's earlier, tragic demise on Earth. Jeremy Davies delivers a solid performance as Snow, one of the demented crew members who clearly is troubled and is hiding a secret from the others. What makes this a great movie is that it stayed true from the beginning. There were no monsters, cheap thrill scenes or excessive sub-plot points so typical of the sci-fi genre. The camerawork was well done and the music was consistent with the tone of the film.
I can't give a full rating for this as I drifted in and out of paying attention to it because frankly I was bored. Perhaps I will watch it again if I run out of other stuff to do in my life.
Thought-provoking, but slow. So very slow. Some things didn't quite add up either- when Clooney boards, you're not totally sure WHERE he is, and this leads to a disorientating 10 mins as you try and work out if he has just got to space or got to the ship. Worthwhile, but hardly as a sci-fi movie.
An interesting perspective by Soderbergh about theglorious and unparalelled Russian sci-fi masterpiece. It's worth watching if you watched the original. Perhaps you'll like it more, or find it thrilling and interesting, as I did.
I'm in the minority who found this to be a chillingly atmospheric & deeply emotional mood piece. Really tapped into the psychology of suicide and loss.
this movie is perhaps one of the first few indications of clooney's true acting skill. the gloomy feel of the movie just adds to the intrigue of the script. the movie compels you to think about wat if you're given a 2nd chance...wud u take it??? loved the idea...loved the movie.
Big disappointment. This Hollywoodification didn't stand a chance against Andrei Tarkovsky's masterpiece. Yes, it was more fast paced, but it lacked in style, mood and the ending was poor.
Solaris might not be to everyone's liking but hell it sure was to mine, its not one of those bubblegum no brainer movies Solaris only works if the viewer is willing to think and work with the film. Sci fi, a love story, philosophy>>>my kind of film
Very well directed this remake from the original Russian movie Solyaris (can't wait to see it). The story about the mistery of life, death and love. Maybe the eternal happiness or the possibility to have a second chance is lost for us to find in outer space. I wish I could find Solaris ;)
Not all successful directors are that prolific. Steven Soderbergh is bucking that trend with a string of hits - "Erin Brockovich", "Traffic", "Ocean's Eleven" and "Solaris". It's now a case of checking your watch sometime in June and noting that it's about time for a Soderbergh hit.
"Solaris" is set some time in the future although it is not specifically explained when it is. Chris Kelvin (Clooney - "Oceans Eleven", "Intolerable Cruelty", "The Perfect Storm", "O Brother, Where Art Thou?") is a psychologist who, for reasons unknown to us at the start, is going through something of a tough time. He is sent to a space station that is orbiting the planet Solaris to help investigate why several people on board have committed suicide.
When he gets there he finds two survivors, Snow (Davies - "Saving Private Ryan", "Twister") and Gordon (Davis - "Kate & Leopold", "Traffic", "Out of Sight"), both seeming unwilling to talk about what has happened on board.
But that night, he finds out why they are so freaked out. When in bed he is visited by his wife, Rheya (McElhone - "FeardotCom", "Ronin", "The Truman Show"), who had died on earth. When he tells Gordon she explains that everyone has experienced the same thing - a visit from someone in their past who has died and whom they miss. Solaris is reading minds and bringing the space stations inhabitants memories to life. Chris refuses to see it as a curse and embraces his wife's return but Gordon tells him that Rheya is not human and that he must leave her behind when they return to earth.
It would be a mistake to focus too much on the plot and storyline of "Solaris". Not that it's weak but because the main strengths of the movie are in the performance of Clooney and the directorial class of Soderbergh.
Clooney has helped cultivate his image as a quality actor, not just through his role choices, but because he really can deliver on screen. In "Solaris" he plays the withdrawn and emotionally battered Chris Kelvin with total precision. We see his happier days during flashbacks and can easily plot the course of how he got from A to B. When his wife returns to his side on Solaris, he can finally make amends for his mistakes.
As a psychological tool, the practically empty space station is the ideal setting. Soderbergh uses long periods of silence to intensify the feeling of isolation, loss and grief and the perfectly placed flashbacks give us enough of the backbone of the story to understand just why Rheya's return is so heart-wrenching for Chris. Clooney?s very screen presence is a great driver of those quieter moments on screen ? somewhat like Billy Bob Thornton?s turn in "The Man Who Wasn?t There".
The mood is downbeat throughout. Even when the story focuses on Rheya and Chris and the setting switches to the outdoors, it's always raining, tingeing their burgeoning love with an almost inevitable sadness.
The primary drive of the movie is Soderbergh?s study of the protagonist?s mental states. Snow is a consistently anxious individual. Gordon is intelligent and pragmatic but even her sound mind is shaken by events. Chris? emotions force him to discard his normally practical mindset and he behaves in a way he would discourage in his patients.
No, "Solaris" isn't the be-all and end-all of psychological drama. But it is a strong and intriguing analysis of the mind, and how the heart can rule the head.
True and serious sci-fi. Soderbergh makes an uncompromising and intellectually stimulating film. A rarity amidst today's blockbusters. I dare say it's superior to Tarkosky's earlier effort. Ultimately, it's Soderbergh's best film since his debut.
Sure its slow but the allegory is strong and I'm a SciFi fan and Clooney fan. He has some major dramatic moments in this. I think the part of / for Rhea sucks though.
Not much I can say about this movie, because nothing really happened. What I can say is that the lighting was good?but that?s not really a reason to go see it. The concept in the movie didn?t really confuse me at all, so I find that is a bad sign when it comes to Sci-Fi.
A good score! An entertaining and very good movie! It kind of messed with my mind a bit though, the idea kind of scares and makes me sad. I don't know what else to say about it.
This version is shorter, has better special effects, and the author that penned the story likes this version rather than the 1972 film.
Even though the old version looks cheap, it's still a damn good thought-provoking film. This newer version focuses more on the love portion of the original concept, kinda giving the film the much-needed emotion not very present in the olde film, therefore being a more bittersweet love tale. A vastly underrated film that no one talks about... and one that I might need to watch a second time as well.
Psychiatrist George Clooney is sent to investigate the strange happenings on a space station orbiting the mysterious planet Solaris where the crew have been encountering "visitors" from their past. I have not seen Tarkovsky's original so I can be completely objective about this beautiful looking and thoughtful sci-fi. Those expecting thrills and spills will be disappointed; the film is deliberately slow paced and philosophical The handsome pairing of Clooney and McElhone put in solid performances in a film that's more concerned with love and loss than aliens and ray guns. Soderbergh's visuals are top notch with some lovely effects complimented by a wonderfully atmospheric soundtrack, creating a very ethereal and other-worldy quality. I must admit, I'm not entirely sure what it is the film was trying to say exactly, but the journey is stylish and captivating. Fans of 2046 should give it a try; they might be pleasantly surprised.
not bad, one of clooney's best performances a good story it has elements of 2001 to it with the look and design of the sets a little bit sentimental in places
MCT:July 22, 2008
MCT:July 13, 2008
MCT:July 8, 2008
MCT:July 5, 2008
MCT:June 26, 2008
MCT:June 26, 2008
MCT:June 1, 2008
