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Haunting
Love Story
Am
I real or just a dream?
BY
LOIS WADSWORTH
 |
| CHRIS
KELVIN (GEORGE CLOONEY) AND HIS WIFE, RHEYA (NATASCHA MCELHONE)
ON THE SPACE STATION PROMETHEUS. |
If you have seen Russian filmmaker Andrei
Tarkovsky's 185-minute Solaris (1972) or read Polish science
fiction writer Stanislaw Lem's novel from the 1960s, you will see
here yet another interpretation and expansion of the stories and ideas
in both. Steven Soderbergh again proves himself a great filmmaker
eager to take immense risks with pictures from a wide range of genres
(Traffic, Erin Brockovich, The Limey).
Here Soderbergh tames the sci-fiction movie genre,
turning it from a preoccupation with special effects and action to
its more psychological and intellectual roots. The Prometheus space
station is sleek and efficient, more elegant than Tarkovsky's ship
but equally haunted and ominous. Gadgets and hardware play a minimum
role in the story, and space suits and helmets are simple, utilitarian
uniforms.
Soderbergh asks science fiction's most interesting
question: What does it mean to be human in an experience of alien
worlds and lifeforms? He asks us to imagine that outer space and inner
space are one and the same, and that love is the most desirable state
humans experience. But he does not coddle viewers nor reassure us.
Death takes on a different meaning, while the oceanic planet swirling
below the station assumes a role akin to that of music, art or the
unconscious — an unknowable, indeterminate, mystical experience
that acts upon our awareness of reality in unpredictable ways.
|
SOLARIS
|
| Written for
the screen and directed by Steven Soderbergh, based on the book
by Stanislaw Lem. Produced by James Cameron, Rae Sanchini, Jon
Landau. Executive Producer, Gregory Jacobs. Cinematography, Peter
Andrews (aka Steven Soderbergh). Production design, Philip Messina.
Editor, Mary Ann Bernard. Costumes, Milena Canonero. Music, Cliff
Martinez. Starring George Clooney and Natascha McElhone, with
Viola Davis, Jeremy Davies and Ulrich Tukur. Twentieth Century
Fox, 2002. PG-13. 98 minutes. |
Chris Kelvin (George Clooney) is a psychologist still
in mourning for his wife, Rheya (Natascha McElhone), who killed herself
some years ago. Kelvin's friend, the Solaris mission commander, Gibarian
(Ulrich Tukur), summons him to the Prometheus to look into a mysterious
ailment he and the other astronauts are suffering. But when Kelvin
arrives, he finds two crew members dead and the others unable to tell
him what's going on. Soon enough he discovers on his own what a nervous
techno geek named Snow (Jeremy Davies) and research scientist Gordon
(Viola Davis), who doesn't leave her cabin, can't or won't say.
Rheya wakes Kelvin in his cabin one morning, as real
and fresh as in his dreams. From that moment on, he questions his
own rationality. Not as clearly persuaded as Gordon that the "visitors"
are aliens nor as irrationally entertained by them as Snow, Kelvin
is fascinated by Rheya, who seems to have her own thoughts and emotions.
But through flashbacks and in conversations with Kelvin, she begins
to wonder who she is and why she has no other memories.
The camera loves McElhone's great cheekbones and expressive
eyes, lingering on her, seeing her through Kelvin's eyes, falling
in love with her and bringing the audience along. Soderbergh's expansive
treatment of the relationship between Kelvin and Rheya may fall short
of Tarkovsky's mystical images, but it feels right for this time,
this uncertain era we live in. We may never know another person as
well as ourselves, but if we learn to love ourselves, perhaps we may
love them as well. And who among us has not wished for a second chance
to make right a meaningful relationship that ended badly? Rheya's
unknowability, like Solaris's unfathomable depths, is a mystery. And
Kelvin's choices determine everything between them.
Clooney sheds the film persona he has created in his
film work, taking risks, expressing relatively abstract emotions and
staying grounded. McElhone (Mrs. Dalloway, The Truman Show)
also takes chances, stepping into a troubled character whose self-discovery
is fraught with danger. She keeps it real with her co-star in every
scene.
Let this film work on you. See it with as few preconceptions
as you can. Now playing at Cinemark and Cinema World. Highest recommendations.
Back to Top
OPENING
OR RETURNING:
Films open the Friday following
date of EW publication unless otherwise noted. See
archived movie reviews.
Abandon: Directed by Stephen Gaghan (Traffic
writer) and starring Katie Holmes as a co-ed whose boyfriend disappeared
two years earlier, and Benjamin Bratt as the detective who turns up
surprising new facts about her friend. PG-13. Movies 12.
Analyze That: Sequel reunites crazy-as-a-fox
Paul Vitti (Robert De Niro) and Dr. Ben Sobel (Billy Crystal), but
Sobel's wife (Lisa Kudrow) is not happy about having Vitto around.
Has he really lost his mind, or is it just a ruse to get out of the
slammer? Directed by Harold Ramis. R. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Empire: John Leguizamo stars in this tale of
a drug dealer getting out of the life for a straight job on Wall Street.
But of course it's not simple to live down the past. Great supporting
cast includes Peter Sarsgaard, Denise Richards, Ruben Blades, Sonia
Braga and Isabella Rossellini. Directed by Franc Reyes .R. Cinemark.
Femme Fatale: Brian De Palma's thriller stars
Rebecca Romijn-Stamos as the mysterious wife of the American ambassador
to France. Antonio Banderas plays the freelance photographer who learns
about her past. R. Movies 12.
Halloween Resurrection: For the seventh time
already, this sucker still isn't really dead. At age 50, he can still
terrorize Busta Rhymes, Jamie Lee Curtis and lots of screaming teens.
R. Movies 12.
Hot Chick: Verbally abusive cheerleader wakes
up in the body of Rob Schneider. Yikes! Directed by Tom Brady. PG-13.
Sneak 12/6. Cinemark.
Maid in Manhattan: Ralph Fiennes is a well-off
politician staying at a swank New York hotel. Jennifer Lopez is a
single-mother maid working there. He sees her dressed in a guest's
clothing and falls for her, like Richard Gere fell for Julia Roberts
in Pretty Woman. Not too enlightened nor original an idea.
PG-13. Sneak on 12/7. Cinemark.
Rules of Attraction: Roger Avary writes and
directs James Van Der Beek, Shannyn Sossamon, Ian Somerhalder and
Jessica Biel in what The New York Times calls "a high-octane
adaptation" of Bret Easton Ellis's novel. R. Movies 12.
Secretary: Totally original story of a mutually
satisfying but offbeat workplace relationship stars the excellent
Maggie Gyllenhaal as a troubled but game secretary and James Spader,
whose E. Edward Grey is not the right boss for just anyone. Sexual
hijinks from the dark side, Steven Shainberg's non-traditional sex
comedy is highly recommended. R. LateNite Bijou.
Stealing Harvard: Tom Green, Jason Lee, Leslie
Mann and Megan Mullaly star in this tale of a clean-living, hardworking
guy who dabbles in crime and gets caught. PG-13. Movies 12.
CONTINUING:
Austin Powers in Goldmember: Third time is
charmed as Mike Myers comes back in multiple roles as Austin Powers.
With Michael Caine and Beyoncé Knowles. Directed by Jay Roach.
Mini-Me takes the cake! PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives.
Barbershop: Sweet-natured comedy about a day
in the life of a south side Chicago barbershop stars Ice Cube, Cedric
the Entertainer, Sean Patrick Thomas, Troy Garity, Eve. This movie
makes you feel good. Recommended. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives.
Die Another Day: Pierce Brosnan returns as
James Bond for a new mission that takes him to Iceland in this action
adventure yarn directed by Lee Tamahori. Costars Halle Berry, John
Cleese and Judi Dench, with Rosamund Pike. Evil enemies played by
Toby Stephens and Rick Yune. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Eight Crazy Nights, Adam Sandler's: Animated
holiday musical stars Adam Sandler as a basketball coach and a publicist
for the New York Knicks, who put together a wild and crazy deal. Other
voices include Jon Lovitz, Kevin Nealon, Rob Schneider and Tyra Banks.
Directed by Seth Kearley. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Eight Mile: Set on the gritty streets of Detroit,
Curtis Hanson's greatly anticipated film stars Eminem in his first
screen role, Kim Basinger as his mom. Also, Brittany Murphy, Mekhi
Phifer and Taryn Manning. R. Cinemark. Online archives.
Emperor's Club, The: Kevin Kline plays a dedicated
prep school teacher and Emile Hirsch, the son of a powerful senator,
is his student. Twenty years later, they meet again. PG-13. Cinemark.
Extreme Ops: Extreme sports athletes accidentally
photograph a war criminal hiding out in the Austrian Alps and must
out- ski and snowboard his revenges. Stars Devon Sawa, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras,
Rupert Graves and Rufus Sewell. Directed by Christian Duguay. PG-13.
Cinemark.
Far From Heaven: Director Todd Haynes and cinematographer
Edward Lachman deliver an exceptionally beautiful, emotionally resonant
film. Excellent performances by Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis
Haysbert and Patricia Clarkson. Very highest recommendations. PG-13.
Bijou. Online archives.
Friday After Next, The: In installment three
of the Friday series, Ice Cube and Mike Epps are back in the
neighborhood where it all began. Directorial debut of video director
Marcus Raboy. R. Cinemark.
Harry Potter: Chamber of Secrets: Again directed
by Chris Columbus, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint)
and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) try to uncover a dark force terrorizing
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. G. Cinema World. Cinemark.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding: It's about the 30-year
old, unmarried daughter (Nia Vardalos) in a passionate but demanding
Greek NY family, who meets the man she to marry (John Corbett), but
he isn't Greek. This sweet romantic comedy entertains. Run-away independent
hit of 2002!. Recommended. PG. Cinema World. Cinemark. Online archives.
Red Dragon: Anthony Hopkins returns as Hannibal
Lecter, the cannibal, serial killer, while Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes,
Harvey Keitel, Emily Watson, Mary-Louise Parker and Philip Seymour
Hoffman flesh out the cast. Directed by Brett Ratner. R. Movies 12.
Ring, The: Gore Verbinski finds a solid cast
in Naomi Watts (Mulholland Drive), Chris Cooper and Brian Cox
for this remake of Hideo Nakata's 1998 Japanese horror film. PG-13.
Cinemark.
Santa Clause 2: Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) begins
looking for the perfect Mrs. Claus, because if he doesn't get married
by Christmas Even, he'll stop being Santa forever. G. Cinemark. Cinema
World.
Signs: Written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan
and starring Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix in this supernatural thriller
about crop circles. Also stars Rory Culkin and Abigail Breslin. PG-13.
Movies 12. Online archives.
Solaris: George Clooney stars in Steven Soderbergh's
remake of 1972 sci-fi movie by Russian master, Andrei Tarkovsky, about
scientists who fall under the spell of a strange planet that they
are orbiting. Costars Natascha McElhone and Jeremy Davies. Highest
recommendations. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. See review this
issue.
Spirited Away: Latest film from legendary Japanese
animation director Hayao Miyazaki (Princess Mononoke) follows
adventures of 10-year old girl, Chihiro, who discovers a secret world
and must take care of herself after her parents undergo a mysterious
transformation. Newly dubbed by John Lasseter (Toy Story),
this film is not just for kids. Critics are correctly calling it a
masterpiece. Very highest recommendations. PG. Bijou. Online archives.
Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams: Robert Rodriguez
says his sequel has lots of action, is fun and nobody dies. Stars
Antonio Banderas, Daryl Sabara and Alexa Vega. PG. Movies 12.
Stuart Little 2: Stuart goes to school now,
and he has big brother George and baby sister Martha to play with.
But a mysterious bird named Margalo involves everyone in an adventure.
Voices of Michael J. Fox, Melanie Griffith, Nathan Lane, Geena Davis
and more. PG. Movies 12.
They, Wes Craven Presents: Night-time terrors
return in this pseudo-psychological thriller starring Laura Regan,
directed by Robert Harmon. PG-13. Cinemark.
Treasure Planet: Robert Louis Stevenson's classic
adventure set on a spaceship that runs into hazards like black holes
and supernovas. Animated film directed by Ron Clements and John Musker
includes voices of Emma Thompson and Martin Short. PG. Cinemark. Cinema
World.
Tuxedo, The: PG-13. Jackie Chan's a limo driver
who borrows his boss' tux only to discover that it's a high-tech killing
machine. With Jennifer Love Hewitt and Peter Stormare. PG-13. Movies
12.
White Oleander: Peter Kosminsky directs the
film adaptation of this best-seller about a young girl (Alison Lohman)
who moves through several foster home after her mother (Michelle Pfeiffer)
goes to prison. Also stars Renée Zellweger, Robin Wright Penn,
Billy Connolly, Patrick Fugit and Noah Wyle. R. Movies 12.
XXX: Vin Diesel and Samuel L. Jackson star
in this athletic spy thriller directed by Rob Cohen. PG-13. Movies
12.
MOVIE
THEATERS
Use the links provided below for specific show times.
Bijou
Art Cinemas
Bijou Theater 686-2458
| 492 E. 13th
Regal
Cinemas
Cinema World 342-6536
| Valley River Center
Springfield Quad 726-9073
|
Cinemark
Theaters
Movies 12 741-1231
| Gateway Mall
Movies before 12:30 are Sat. Sun. only. $1.50 all shows all days.
Cinemark 17 741-1231 |
Gateway Mall
New
Releases on Video
Releases subject to change. Available the
Tuesday following date of EW publication, sometimes
sooner. See
archived movie reviews.
Cherish: Finn Taylor's character-driven comedy
stars Robin Tunney and Jason Priestly, but it rolls off the rails
when the director tries to make it into a thriller. R.
Emperor's New Clothes, The: Romantic comedy about
Napoleon in love, a what-if film that has the great Ian Holm in a
dual role and Iben Hjejle as the melon merchant who makes him forget
the past. Directed by Alan Taylor. Highly recommended. PG. Online
archives.
Innocence: Written and directed by Paul Cox,
this film about lovers meeting 50 years later doesn't work, critics
say, although stars Julia Blake, Charles Tingwell and Terry Norris
give heartfelt performances. Not rated.
K-19: The Widowmaker: Based on a true story about
a Cold War Russian nuclear submarine that has a near-meltdown, the
film shows the courage of the sailors and their officers to stave
off what would have been an international nuclear disaster. Stars
Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson and Peter Sarsgaard. PG-13. Online archives.
Like Mike: Lil Bow Wow plays an orphan who
dreams of playing pro basketball. When he finds a pair of magic sneakers,
he makes the team. Also stars Morris Chestnut, Jonathan Lipnicki,
Crispin Glover and Eugene Levy. PG.
My Wife is an Actress: Charlotte Gainsbourg,
Yvan Attal and Terence Stamp star in a romantic comedy that ponders
these questions, not very deeply: When movie stars kiss or make love
on the screen, is it the real thing or not? Are they acting? Or are
they really turned on? R. Online archives.
Stuart Little 2: Stuart goes to school now,
and he has big brother George and baby sister Martha to play with.
But a mysterious bird named Margalo involves everyone in an adventure.
Voices of Michael J. Fox, Melanie Griffith, Nathan Lane, Geena Davis
and more. PG.
Twenty—four Hour Party People: Fabulous
film about Tony Wilson (Steve Coogan), an ambitious local TV reporter
who discovers the Sex Pistols and turns Manchester, England into the
1970s dance club hot spot. Brilliant. Directed by Michael Winterbottom
as a pop history of the era as seen by the man who thought it was
his world. Cinematographer, Robby Muller. Played late night only in
Eugene. See it on DVD. Highly recommended. R.
Next week: Big Shot: Confessions of a Campus Bookie,
Happy Accidents, Minority Report and Unfaithful.
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