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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.
Rated PG-13 for sexuality/nudity, brief language and thematic elements.
Review Date: December 13, 2002