Solaris
Cast
George Clooney as Kelvin
Natascha McElhone as Rheya
Jeremy Davies as Snow
Viola Davis as Gordon
Ulrich Tukur as Gibarian
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Rater #2 has review and description
Rater #1
Has Not Seen Movie
Rater #2
10/10. A remake of a little-known (that, of course, is now on DVD) Russian
film, Steven Soderbergh's Solaris is a hauntingly beautiful sci-fi
masterpiece that borrows from other films, such as 2001.
George Clooney is Chris Kelvin, psychiatrist. In the futuristic world
of his that doesn't get too over-the-top (such as Minority Report),
he must go and try to solve bizarre occurings that are happening on a
space station that is around the planet Solaris. He goes up, and, of
course, sees a vision of his dead wife Rheya (Natascha McElhone).
Soon he becomes transfixed and believes that she is the real deal,
while other members Snow (Jeremy Davies) and Gordon (Viola Davis) try
to convince him that it's a "visitor" from Solaris. Oddity ensues.
This movie is unlike any others I have ever seen. Unlike the mindless
blockbusters in the summer or the drek of the fall/spring, this movie
is an original piece of work that really makes you think. Don't put
your mind on hold. As soon as the art begins, you're transfixed with
the escapades of Chris and co. Going into it, I was feeling somewhat
apprehensive, because of the mixed review it has been garnering. All
of the nay-sayers must not be able to think deeply and consider The
Animal the greatest movie of all time.
Clooney gives a compassionate performance, while McElhone is also
incredable. The supporting characters were great and we can hope that
their names go out in the future. The sweeping cinematography was so
magnificent-the turns and the flashes and everything else. Its 99-
minute runtime seemed long, but I wished it could have been longer.
The music score proved that you don't need large booms to make
effective. In fact, the point is made with silence a lot of times.
The ending was perfect. It isn't cut-and-dry, but also it isn't so
muddled and mucked up. It's open to debate, like all good movies
should be. You can't really argue about Eight Crazy Nights. Like most
classics, the ending is left to the imagination (2001 comes into mind
again).
Solaris is a spectacular achievement of mind and body with superb
acting and an awesome script that leaves much to the imagination.
Unfortunately, most audience will not like it because it isn't clear
and they don't want to think.
Rater #3
Has Not seen Movie
Rater #4
Has Not seen Movie
Rated PG-13 for sexuality/nudity, brief language and thematic
elements.
Running time: 99 minutes
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