Solaris

As Seen On DVD

I have to say upfront; I don't think I got Solaris. I mean, the film isn't a mess; it's fairly straightforward, and I'm a relatively smart guy, but I think that whatever the hidden subtext was, remained hidden to me. Hopefully, that doesn't flavour the review somewhat. Personally, I think it's a brave and thoughtful film from the always-interesting Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney.

Dr. Chris Kelvin (Clooney) is asked by his friend to visit his space mission around Solaris to help with a problem they are having. He agrees, somewhat reluctantly, and finds things in disarray on the space station orbiting Solaris. His friend has killed himself, there are only two other people on the station, and one of them doesn't want to come out of her room. Kelvin is warned cryptically about things, but is told that he has to see it for himself. Which he does when his dead wife appears next to him in bed the morning after his first night on the station.

The story, as it is, concerns itself with Kelvin coping with his relationship with his wife, the way she died, and how this new wife copes with the memories and the situation within she now finds herself. To do that, Soderbergh takes a very slow, deliberate approach, taking time to get to know the characters, allowing flashbacks to fill out the back-story, which is appropriate for the character of Kelvin's wife, Rheya, played by Natasha McElhone. There's a very European feel to the film, filled with pregnant pauses and meaningful silences and an attention to the acting, without the actors being 'actorly'. Clooney controls his usual mannerisms that he exudes naturally to make us love him in the likes of Ocean's Eleven or Out of Sight. Soderbergh creates a very believable near-future world and allows the viewer to make their own choice about what happens in the film, even if this reviewer didn't necessarily understand it. It didn't stop me enjoying the film, though, and I would recommend this for viewers who want something a little more substantial and nourishing in their filmic fare.

Rating: VID