(17 May 2012)

Deep Space Drama

James Cameron and Steven Soderbergh's SOLARIS is a powerful yet subtle film. On equal footing, George Clooney's low-key performance is also powerful. Strange phenomena aboard a lonely space station are at the center of this film but it moves into deeper psychological regions that are very thought provoking.

Roland E. Zwick (17 May 2012)

Intriguing mood piece

Since nobody had the wherewithal or wisdom to re-release `2001' in theactual year 2001, a remake of Andrei Tarkovsky's comparable `Solaris' in2002 would seem the next best thing. Like those two earlier films, StevenSoderbergh's latest work is something of an `art' science fiction film, farmore concerned with philosophy and theme than with action and suspense. This may make the film a tough slog for modern day audiences who have beenconditioned to be jolted out of their seats every five minutes whilewatching films of this genre. But for the deeper thinkers among us,`Solaris' offers a fairly intriguing sci-fi vision of the afterlife, a sortof new religious paradigm for the twenty-first century. George Clooney stars as Chris Kelvin, a successful psychiatrist whosementally ill wife - ironically enough, given his profession - killedherself a few years back. Chris is commissioned to travel to a spacestation orbiting the planet Solaris after strange things begin happening tothe crew aboard the ship. It turns out that dead loved ones have startedappearing to the people there, leading a number of the crewmembers todescend into madness and, in the worst cases, even commit suicide. It'snot long before Chris' own dead wife, Rheya, arrives on the scene, promptinghim to question whether she is real, a replica created for an unknown reasonby the forces of the mysterious planet, or merely a figment of his owntroubled conscience and imagination. The film taps into that desire we allhave of somehow being miraculously reunited with a deceased love one. Wecan't help but be moved by Chris' intense desire to believe that all that ishappening is real and that life with this person could indeed start back upwhere it left off. Clooney does a beautiful job conveying the innerstruggle between the grieving husband who wants to reconnect emotionallywith this strangely familiar woman whom he had thought forever lost to himand the rationalistic scientist who suspects that both she and theirrelationship are illusory and ephemeral. The film itself may be glaciallypaced, but the tension created by the situation pulls us through. NataschaMcElhone brings an ethereal beauty to the role of the dead wife, and we aremoved by her own confusion as to whether she is really this woman Rheya ormerely some fabrication usurping the memories and feelings of someone longgone from the scene. Clooney and McElhone generate a strong romanticchemistry between them, both in the scenes aboard the ship and in themanifold flashbacks the storytellers use to reveal their relationship backon Earth. Viola Davis gives an intense performance as Helen Gordon, therationalist of the group who tries to convince Chris that he must overcomehis feelings and destroy this facsimile of Rheya or risk bringing potentialdestruction to the people back home.`Solaris' has been shot in the widest screen ratio I have seen in years. Italmost feels like one of those old Cinerama pictures from the 1950's and1960's, which is surprising actually, given the fact that, for all its outerspace trappings, the film is really an intimate, personal drama in qualityand scale (if you rent this on video, do NOT opt for the `full screen'treatment; rather, make sure it is in the letterboxed format). Also, theset design and special effects are actually rather understated for a modernscience fiction film – as is everything about `Solaris' in fact. Like`2001,' `Solaris' is filled with images and concepts whose significance andmeaning aren't always readily apparent or easily spelled out for theaudience. Just be forewarned that the film is more along the lines of atone poem than a rip-roaring action adventure tale.`Solaris' isn't a great film and I can certainly see why many people,expecting something different, might find themselves becoming restive andbored by it. For me, the film managed to seep under my skin and kept meinterested most of the time. This is definitely not everyone's cup of tea,but for those with patience and an appreciation for something a littledifferent, `Solaris' has its share of rewards.

fatmaninatrenchcoat (11 May 2012)

great movie, most people will hate it

I personally loved this movie. It has flaws, mostly the fact that theslowpacing can be very wearing(as much as i liked it, i dont think i want toseesoderbergs 150 minute master cut)Solaris is very much a thinking mans sci-fi film. there is no action,almost no special effects, just great acting and even better directing.Butbecause of the offbeat tone and slow pace, i doubt this film will ever bemore than a cult classic. George Clooney should definitaly get an oscarnomination for the best work hes ever done, by far. And soderberg shouldgeta nod for best director, but i dont think best picture will even beconsidered, considering the strangness of the film. 8/10

caromal2020 (11 May 2012)

Sorry, negative!

Four of us saw a premier showing of Solaris. We all like George Clooney.We all were looking forward to this movie (he appeared to be a romanticleadin the trailers). All four of us walked out of the theater withbewilderedlooks on our faces, saying "Huh?". I never felt drawn into thecharacters,never felt much for what they were going through. Clooney has thosewonderful expressive eyes, but even the emotion there didn't resonate.Truthfully, I did not like 2001 and this movie seemed very comparable tothat film. Those who were fans of 2001 and particularly of this director,may take away more from this film than I did. Our group were not the onlypatrons to dislike the film, at least thirty people walked out abouthalfwaythrough. I did not pay to see this movie and was glad that I had not doneso. I would not rent it or watch it again. For every movie there is adefinite audience, so I know that many people will enjoy the movie and the"messages". I am just not in that target audience.

(11 May 2012)

an excellent film!

This review is from: Solaris (DVD) I just saw this movie recently. I resisted seeing it because of the bad reviews but I loved it! It isn't slow, its meditative. I have little patience for slow movies. This is not one of them. Although it is a very thought provoking movie, I felt it more than I experienced it intellectually. Unlike most movies of today, it seems to speak to the unconscious more than the conscious. Its not a typical movie. It isn't for everyone but if you like the stillness of meditation and question things metaphysically, you will definitely like this movie. It's the first time I have liked George Clooney's acting. He is superb. I'd like to see him do more unstereotypical roles. It is a difficult film to do well and not many could. Steven Soderberg did an excellent job.

John Wilkes Booth (11 May 2012)

Beautiful Letdown

When the score is the best aspect of any film ... thats not a good sign evenwith strong acting, hightened special effects cinematography and a usuallycompetent director, well nevertheless.This was a great risk for many involved and they went right into the abyssof the Lem book and Tarkovsky film of thirty years prior.This Solaris was mostly boring, nothing new just like the ABYSS, EVENTHORIZON, ALIEN 3, Gods and Generals, Orlando or SPHERE. Too much headytalk, action off screen, too little emotion, too few correlations with ademanding, impatient audience that I am a part of whether I like it ornot.For those of us that have greater thresholds of tolerances can enjoy Solarisfor its Dylan Thomas, and death shall have no dominion, a dead drunk welshpoet, the always entrancing Natasha McElhone (Mrs Dalloway/Ronin) Well asfeeble science fiction disguised in a romance. Not so subtle. In the future when we're gone this movie could become a sleeper classic, butthats far from now.

vasco_cid (30 April 2012)

Metaphors aren't always clearly explained, I see.

Steve Martin clearly said it right in the Academy Awards, two years ago:"The trailers give away to much of the movie". Indeed. Solaris was wrappedup in big expectation: the reported George Clooney's nudity; StevenSoderberg writing and the return of James Cameron. The story goes that amission to the planet Solaris, in an unknown future is on the verge ofjeopardy. Security teams have been sent and have not returned, and the crewhas lost contact, aledgedly insane. Dr. Chris Kelvin is sent in as aspecialized psychiatrist, whose head is shaken up by the recent death of hiswife. When he arrives he has to deal with the strangeness of the remainingcrew as well as the visits of her dead wife that abound in his thought. Asproducers said, the movie is all about second chances, as well as choices,being the whole thing just a metaphor. However, Soderberg messes up in thewriting passing everything on the directing. The trailer suggested somethingdifferent. The trailer came out as one of the best - as long with The TwoTowers and X2 - of the year. Cliff Martinez's score although present wasn'tthere. It was needed something powerful and striking, whereas what we get isalmost none. George Clooney and Natasha McHelone's performances alternatebetween sublime and dull, coming as a result dull, the supporting JeremyDavies does it all on what acting is concerned. The planet Solaris, themysterious identity that runs the whole movie only gets atractivly creepy inthe end. What Solaris needed was Science Fiction atmosphere; it should makeus believe that we were really in space, something that the 2000's worldwidehated (guilty pleasure to me) Supernova, had to have and tohold.4 out of 10.

Becqua (30 April 2012)

Traffic, grocery lines or dentist anyone...?

Anyone accustomed to living in a large metropolitan area is familiar withthe agonizing delays of traffic and waiting in long grocery lines;Universally, everyone has probably had some experience waiting for thedentist to finish his/her job......These my friends, are far moreinteresting than waiting for something to happen in the 2002 remake ofSolaris. In fact, if you happen to be stuck in traffic on your way to seethe movie and you only make it in time to see the closing credits.....youhave most definitely seen the best the movie has to offer.The concept is clearly an intriguing one. The exploration of the depths ofthe human mind, heart and soul....The possibilities that may exist in theafter-life and within the unexplored portions of the Universe as we knowit...These thematic elements skillfully woven and executed, could havemadefor a masterpiece. Sadly, what you end up with is akin to having a 1000piece jigsaw puzzle, only the pieces you are given are from ten differentpuzzles and never come close to creating a whole picture.Not even worth watching on cable.

AnalogMan (28 April 2012)

Remake of 1972 Soviet/Russian Movie Solyaris

Solaris is based on a Russian movie named Solyaris. The plot elementsare very similar between the two versions, but the Solyaris is quite abit longer than Solaris. The planet/object 'Solaris' has intelligence;the capability to manifest your subconsciousness or dreams intoreality. This is a common theme in Soviet era movies, for example theRussian made movie Stalker in 1979 is a quest to find a place in "TheZone" where you could basically get your wishes granted. Consideringthe bland lives of living in the Soviet union during that era, it's nowonder movies like this made such an impression on those people.The point of the movie is that if you could have your dreams, would youforgo reality and choose the dreams? In Solaris, the manifestations ofyour dreams take on a life of their own. The consequences are notpredictable, so maybe dreams are best left locked up in the mind...

Steven D. Greydanus (28 April 2012)

Some viewers will find Solaris difficult or dull. My complaint is different: I think it’s dishonest.

K (21 April 2012)

Gorgeous, beautiful and haunting

i normally don't comment on films, but I was so surprised at howbeautiful the visuals were for this film. The storyline,cinematography and music (electronica- similar to Woob1194 ) fitso well together. George Clooney was also brilliant- my respectsto those all who put together this film. A film like this will beremembered more as a piece of art as oppose to the high budgetfilms that only focus on the mainstream commercial market.

Tom Rito (21 April 2012)

Food for the Thought

Good movie but very slow. If I didn't read the book, I don't think I wouldhave liked it. By removing the main concept of the book, that Solaris is aplanet with a world wide sentient ocean, we remove the explanation thatSolaris represents an alien form that can not be understood by man. Solaris, in the book, is the entity that unlocks the human subconscious. Sowhat are we left with, why are we seeing these people that can teach us somuch about ourselves? I don't know but it felt to me that this film wasonly a reflection of our society where everything is only about ME. What ismissing from my life, how do I fulfill my needs? I love someone else onlybecause I see myself in them. Maybe we have to get over ourselves and lookoutside, leave our subconscious alone and move on. If we weren't so selfabsorbed we might find a real reason for existence.

(21 April 2012)

Feels like an original-series Star Trek episode remade after 2001: A Space Odyssey.

If you make an effort, moving and spooky. If you don't, pointless anddull.It will be up to you -- it's a pretty film, but, because there's notreallymuch in it that will feel new, not really compelling.

champayne (20 April 2012)

Solaris: my next vacation destination!

I'd venture to say that every person would like to change something thathappened to them in the past. I can't count the numerous things that Iwouldlike to change, but I'd settle for one. I once knew a woman that loved meand I was too full of myself to realize it. I've never found the sameunconditional sort of love that she had for me over the past 25 years andIseriously doubt if I ever will again. If only I could find my way toSolaris. . .I see why George Clooney is considered by many women to be so desirablefroma few of the beef-cake scenes in the movie. George has one hell of a nicebody for a man his age!I've seen "The Perfect Storm" and "Oceans 11" and I thought that Mr.Clooney's acting talents were better used in "Solaris". With thisperformance he has made me a fan and thus, I will look forward to seeinghiswork in the future, rather than avoiding it.

floridanate (16 April 2012)

Visually Genius

Okay, so we can all talk about how boring it is, sure, well, I can'targue. Not to say I don't REALLY like this movie, cause I do. I like ita lot, but it doesn't make me sleepy. I like that fact. This movie is not normal. The pace is slow, and the soundtrack isextremely relaxing (fantastic in my opinion.) So don't expect to be onthe edge of your seat. If you'd like to see some of the best SCI-FIphotography work done since 2001 space odysee, than watch this. I am innow way saying this is ON PAR with 2001, but FILM MAKING WISE itdefinitely deserves association. I thought that this film feature someextremely beautiful sequences, and was in many ways a (to borrow aphrase) "...return to what sci-fi was meant to be." If you can look atthis picture http://www.geocities.com/natewood007/solaris.jpg and stillsay that the film is not genius, I am completely baffled. WATCH THISMOVIE, and fall asleep at peace with the universe.

(15 April 2012)

Double feeling about the film

Don't really know what i think about this film. Not very often happens.From one side it's nice movie. Nice scenario, nice actors, but after Tarkovsky Solaris, this film don't give that feeling of admiration. From one hand film have smth but from other hand it's boring. Slow speech, slow actions (if they are at all) and to end of movie you just fall asleep.Not the best work of Steven Soderbergh.

(13 April 2012)

Okay, I guess

I'd seen the Russian version of "Solaris" some time ago. It was, like many a Russian movie, awfully slow. So slow that, frankly, I remember nothing about it. Soderburg and Cloony? Good combination, no? So I saw this one. I liked the special effects, the story was kind of cute. But, like the Russian, it was slow. Contrary to some other critics, I wouldn't discourage you from seeing it. But don't expect to be excited, or really moved by the story.

Serapheal (13 April 2012)

too subtle, slow paced, NICE gRaPhiX, semi-meaningfulessnessis.

The dialogue was kind of weak. this film requires a mature mind toenjoy the complexities thereof. thus, the film poses questions butdoesn't give any real possibilities.Lots of eye candy, pretty fluffy colory clouds and stuff... oooooh.. irike. ;) Basically, the main character, ( Clooney ) would rather livein alternate unknown life with his suicidal alien wife simulation. Or,maybe solaris is heaven, Or, an alien planet that manipulates ones mindso that what the experience seems real, even though it's not.The discussion at the table concerning god and religion etc,.. was sucha joke, very weak, and dumbed down to a point of meaninglessness.The movie is very SSsssssLLllllllOOoooooooWWwwwwwwwww paced. And, thetransition from one scene to flashback to another scene reminded me ofMicrosoft PowerPoint, you know with the cheesy image transitions. Also,The movie does, however, stretch ones imagination, only cause you'dhave to imagine the possibilities that the movie doesn't seem toaddress properly. There are subtleties that I liked, however, like theslight touching of the hand with his fiancée. But that was all. Ididn't get the connection with the boy holding his hand out to the maincharacter during the finale.One commenter had this to say which made me laugh heartedly: " exploresthe uncharted realms of the human condition as much as the unknownrealities of the universe, and swims upstream against the currents ofethics, physics, and even metaphysics, you will probably enjoy thismoody, slow, multi-leveled and heavily textured film."human condition" ?? what ? being trapped in a spaceship with illusionsof lost love, is a metaphor for the Human Condition ? yeah Right...Unknown realities of the Universe ? like staring at the miasma of creamand hot coffee at the break of dawn.Multi-leveled ? reality and illusion, afterlife, spirit worlddreamworld alien simulated life ? whatever man.. doesn't lookmulti-leveled to me, just your basic dreamy romance story in aspaceship setting entering a world of illusion.but then again, "what is real?" Well, how about a better movie like"The matrix".In order to be receptive to this movie you'd need a particular frame ofmind: "high on weed".However, the acting by all the cast was solid, just the way in whichthis movie was written. And, the music was, well, great if you need toget some sleep.Overall the movie seemed low budget and unfinished. the concept wasn'tdepicted strong enough, and the slow pace makes the mind wander andthus doesn't do much to keep one interested enough.I know a good film when I see, it, and Solaris is marginal at best.Hardly worth the the price of a good book.If there is one thing I hate, are Writers that do these stupid remakes,add a few differences here, there, better graphics, steal other writersideas then viola', everybody calls Steven Soderbergh a genius, quitethe contrary, for this film, no way.One facet I did like about this film is the point where Chris realizesNobody ever knows all there is to know about another person, and that'swhat makes the surrealism of the story so compelling or wishy washy,mixed up and meaningless.And, this sums up it all up, from another commenter: Soderbergh hasmanaged to leave out just about everything that could justify the title.Serious, it was a weak film, However I respect Soderbergh cause of hisother work. Oh well, remakes are usually lame anwyay.

Duane Dudek (11 April 2012)

Based on a film that was based on a book, the third generation of this tale has the pallor of a smudged photocopy of an idea that has been revived without being re-imagined.

Richard Roeper (11 April 2012)

It's very thoughtful and it's the kind of movie you have to discuss afterwards.