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Solaris More at IMDbPro »

1 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
An eloquent, profound and philosophical science fiction film, 24 May 2006

Author: EddieK from United States

Most science fiction movies fall into two rough categories: "Star Wars"-style action films, and more cerebral movies in the vein of "2001: a space odyssey." (Of course, I simplify the classification; a movie like "Minority Report" can bridge the gap between the two sub-genres). "Solaris" belongs firmly in the "2001" school of sci-fi, which may explain why I liked it - and why it failed at the box office.

Cerebral science fiction movies demand patience and active involvement and almost always disappoint the masses. (Recent examples include "Gattaca" and "AI: Artificial Intelligence," films I admired that achieved something less than blockbuster status). Such is the case with Steven Soderbergh's "Solaris," which extends a concept that might have driven the plot of a Star Trek episode to feature-film length. That "Solaris" feels longer than its 99-minute running time is not necessarily a bad thing. It's a philosophical movie that eschews action, effects and violence, and is content to linger on moments and details as it considers its trenchant themes.

I can't say too much without giving anything away. The setup is that Dr. Kelvin (played by Soderbergh favorite George Clooney) is summoned to a space station where some sort of disaster has occurred. (Imagine how "2001" might have played out if Heywood Floyd's Clavius Base cover story had been true, and you'll get the idea). Shortly after arriving on the Solaris base, Clooney meets the survivors, and soon understands why they don't want to leave.

Soderbergh directs efficiently, and the performances by Clooney, Natascha McElhone, Viola Davis, Jeremy Davies, and Ulrich Tukur all resonate. Soderbergh's use of visual effects is economical and discreet, and never detracts from the story (based on Stanislaw Lem's 1961 novel of the same name). I haven't seen the 1972 Russian film also based on Lem's novel, but this version inspires me to seek it out.

"Solaris" asks us to consider many questions: What would we do if given a chance to relive the past? How important is memory to our concepts of our loved ones? Would we choose a false happiness over the ups and downs of reality? "Solaris" uses a futuristic setting to explore these questions eloquently and profoundly, leaving the viewer to supply the answers. Bring an open mind to "Solaris;" it's worth your time.

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