A
Bittersweet Romance...
Solaris is a
meditation, a rumination and a wistful poem
about the importance of memory, the crippling
effect of regret and guilt, and the
understanding of human identity. It's weighty
filmmaking that demands attention and the
capability of deep thought. This film will have
deep thinkers wrapped in meaningful conversation
for weeks, and leave the others steeped in utter
confusion.
Steven Soderbergh's film, a remake of the 1973
Andrei Tarkovsky classic, pays homage to
Kubrick's 2001 and ponders many of the same
ideas evident in A Space Odyssey. These films
all ask questions that only the viewers can
answer for themselves.
I really liked this film... I admired it's
bravery and it's intelligence. I think, perhaps,
that director Steven Soderbergh intellectualizes
the material too much, while understating the
limitless romanticism of the situation. As a
result, we are left with a rather stark and cold
film that fails to send chills down your spine.
A film that can make you think so profoundly
deserves a lot of praise, but I wish it could
have made me cry.
Are we alone? How well can we really know a
person? Are we just a compilation of what other
people think of us? Without my memory, what am
I? Is regret a good thing? Is guilt a necessary
emotion? Do we have choices and free will? Why
am I here and why do I feel?
I am not sure I know the answers to any of those
questions, but I am glad the film asked them of
me. Sometimes it feels good to be wistful.
Sometimes it feels good to be sad.
Clooney and McElhone are spectacular here. Both
of them empty their emotional wells for this
film... some of that credit must go to
Soderbergh for extracting that from them.
Consider a wonderful scene, halfway through the
film, where the two of them descend in an
elevator. Not a word is spoken. We start at
their nervous hands and know instantly what is
happening... we pan out and see them starting to
flirt with coy smiles and quick glances. They
finally hold hands and realize the comfort they
bring to each other. There is so much
understanding of human nature in this small
scene and it is a beautifully acted microcosm of
the entire film.
©
Written by TC Candler
Richard
Propes' Comment
"Solaris"
is science fiction for the intellectual mind.
Those who prefer the eye candy of a "Star Wars"
flick will likely view "Solaris" and start
yawning. It commands attention to detail,
attention to thought, and contemplation of
ideas. "Solaris" is a film that finds meaning in
the silent spaces between us, and is comfortable
merely being present in that space. Soderbergh
masterfully brings the film to life through a
direction that is patient, yet constantly
present. Both Clooney and McElhone trust their
characters and this trust manifests in
performances that succeed because they are about
being not acting. I have a feeling subsequent
viewings will improve this film's esteem in my
eyes.
Jacob
Hall's Comment
n/a
