Solaris (2002)

A troubled psychologist is sent to investigate the crew of an isolated research station orbiting a bizarre planet.

Director:

Steven Soderbergh

Writers:

Stanislaw Lem (novel), Steven Soderbergh (screenplay)

Stars:

George Clooney, Natascha McElhone, Ulrich Tukur

2 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
George Clooney	...	Chris Kelvin
Natascha McElhone	...	Rheya
Viola Davis	...	Gordon
Jeremy Davies	...	Snow
Ulrich Tukur	...	Gibarian
John Cho	...	DBA Emissary #1
Morgan Rusler	...	DBA Emissary #2
Shane Skelton	...	Gibarian's Son
Donna Kimball	...	Mrs. Gibarian
Michael Ensign	...	Friend #1
Elpidia Carrillo	...	Friend #2
Kent Faulcon	...	Patient #1 (as Kent D. Faulcon)
Lauren Cohn	...	Patient #2 (as Lauren M. Cohn)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Tony Clemons	...	Dinner Guest

Storyline

Grieving psychologist Chris Kelvin is sent to investigate a lonely space station orbiting the mysterious planet Solaris, where terrified crewmembers are experiencing a host of strange phenomena, including impossibly halcyon visitors that seem all too human. Once aboard, he confronts an unfathomable power that could hold the key to mankind's deepest dreams and darkest nightmares.

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Plot Keywords:

space station | space | planet | trapped in space | title at the end | 

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Taglines:

How far will you go for a second chance?

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 on appeal for sexuality/nudity, brief language and thematic elements

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the final train scene, a Chicago L platform sign (Merchandise Mart) is clearly visible, though out of focus. Footage of the sign must have been looped to make the station seem much longer than it actually is: on the side of the station that's open to backlight, there are only two such signs mounted on metal balustrades, about 25 feet apart, but in the movie the train appears to pass more than a dozen.

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Goofs

George Clooney is shown traveling in a sleek slightly futuristic rapid transit train but the rear projection/blue screen out the window clearly shows the current day "Merchandise Mart" station of the Chicago CTA Subway. Also during his journey the train he passes going the opposite direction is a present day subway train.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[Chris's memories, in voiceover]
Rheya Kelvin: Chris, what is it? I love you so much. Don't you love me anymore?

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Crazy Credits

There are no credits at the beginning. All the credits are at the end of the film.

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Connections

Featured in 'Solaris': Behind the Planet (2003)

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Soundtracks

Canon on the Fifth
(Variation 15) from the "Goldberg Variations" (BWV 988)
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach (as J.S. Bach)
Performed by Glenn Gould (1955)
From the Sony Classical/Legacy Release:
"Glenn Gould - A State of Wonder" (S3K 87703)
Courtesy of Sony Clasical and The Estate of Glenn Gould
By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

A valiant, but muddled, attempt.

I must give Soderbergh credit for trying, but I agree with many other reviewers who find significant flaws in this movie.

I will be brief.

First, contrary to what some other reviewers have stated, there is no need whatsoever for the science fiction component of this story. It may as well have taken place at a cabin on a lake in Maine. In this respect, it betrays the legacies of both Lem and Tarkovsky.

Second, the questions it raises are not particularly profound ones. Do we feel guilt and how does it affect us? Is memory reality? What would we do when given a second chance, and would it trivialize all we have previously experienced? Unfortunately, these are developed and explored no better than the hypothetical question, "If you could be invisible, what would you do?" And where Soderbergh apparently wishes to address issues in casual conversation, the thoughts of these supposedly highly-educated and experienced individuals are, in fact, quite banal.

Third, the acting is above-average, but not in any way exceptional. I truly am a rationalist and skeptic, just like Clooney's character, and I did not identify with his character or his situation at all.

Finally, the movie is indeed very slowly paced. No, I wasn't looking for giant bugs or technical dissertations on cryo-sleep...I just wanted some advancement of the plot...or at least some character development.

In summary, this movie is slightly interesting, but it is ultimately frustrating and unfulfilling. Like some other reviewers, I kept bringing up the time remaining display on the DVD player and thinking, "I've still got 45 minutes of this to sit through?"

Rating: * out of ****

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 November 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Solaris

Filming Locations:

7th & Hope Streets, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$47,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,752,722, 1 December 2002

Gross USA:

$14,973,382

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$30,002,758

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, Lightstorm Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS (8 channels)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1