Genre: Drama • Sci-Fi
Director: Duncan Jones
Starring: Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey
Language: English
Duration: 97 min.
Summary:
Astronaut Sam Bell has a quintessentially personal encounter toward the
end of his three-year stint on the Moon, where he, working alongside his
computer, GERTY, sends back to Earth parcels of a resource that has
helped diminish our planet's power problems.
November's LAMB Movie of the Month is Moon, the debut feature film from UK director Duncan Jones. It premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival receiving high acclaim, later winning the Best Film award at the British Independent Film Awards.
Set in the near future, Moon is a chilling, minimalist, existential sci-fi drama starring Sam Rockwell who plays astronaut Sam Bell, at the end of a long and lonely three-year contract manning a lunar outpost. His only companion is GERTY, a very HAL 9000-like computer voiced by Kevin Spacey. After an accident while performing some routine maintenance, Sam awakens to discover that his reality is far different from what he thought before.
It's an impressively crafted picture done on a very small budget. The interior set design stands out with its classic space station looks, complete with bright white lights, pristine laboratory like environment, and claustrophobia inducing, geometrically shaped walls. Also significant is the stylish cinematography by Gary Shaw, who captures the clinical feel of the interiors with great use of lighting and wide angle shots; and the accompanying score from famed composer Clint Mansell, which perfectly relays the film's cold and lonely mood.
Though it is Sam Rockwell's one-man-show that really makes it all work, it's a complex demanding role which he handles brilliantly, displaying a wide dramatic range that keeps us riveted for the entire length of the film.
Overall a wonderfully refreshing non-special-effects laden movie set in space that relies instead on an intelligently written dramatic mystery, chilling atmosphere, and solid acting to deliver the goods.
— Bonjour Tristesse
26 comments:
Aww, yeah I can see why it would be boring if you aren't in the right mood. You should give it another chance one day.
It is a great one man role. You should watch it sometime.
Yeah he deserves more shots at leading roles
I haven't seen this film, well, I started watching it when it was feature on Netflix a few months back. Never went back to it for some reason. What I admired about it initially though, was the quiet...the atmosphere was peaceful yet, melancholic. Dark.
Moon really creeped me out I first watched it and is an excellent piece of Sci-fi. Sam Rockwell carries the entire movie on his back and it works. Why hasn't he gotten more starting roles after this is beyond me.
I heard about this one from the lamb motm and think it is really one that I could get into, if only to see Rockwell's performance!
Are there no other recent sci-fi's that you enjoyed?
Yeah I don't recall ever reading a bad review of this one.
That is a very good point. Though I'm interested to see if your opinion changes at all after you've seen the film.
Thanks Jason, you are right it is nice to have an intelligent sci-fi to balance out the lasers and explosions.
You know I never really noticed Rockwell before this but I guess that just goes to show how good he is.
Yeah so simple yet effective.
Yeah its a good one. Thanks for stopping by Will.
I can understand why you would give it a 9, but it didn't move me enough to go that high.
I loved it, even if the end was a bit predictable. Sam Rockwell knocked it way out of the park.
I think I'm going to love this movie. Stay tuned for details.
In other news, I think it's a poor decision by the company to send a married man on this type of long-term solitary mission. Especially one with a pregnant spouse.
Sam Rockwell is amazing in this! :D
It is a stunning film, all those outside moonscapes... and all so silent - I agree, so chilling. And Rockwell is such an alluring actor, as always.
Nice review for a fantastic film. I agree about Rockwell's performance being brilliant and the film is a welcome antidote to films like Transformers.
I like the poster. It's cool!
I had heard about this one, all good things, but had never even seen the trailer. This one I'm really gonna like, my kind of movie.
Oh yes, one of my most favorite sci-fi films.
You should give it a 9. Seriously.
Finally a newer sci-fi film that sounds like something I'd like.
I really did enjoy watching this film. I was lucky enough to catch it in Cinemas and had convinced a bunch of friends to come along to watch it (I ran into them on the way to the cinema). I was really impressed with what Duncan Jones could achieve with the small budget.
The film was a welcome change of pace and reminded me of why I fell in love with Sci-fi in the first place. :)
Welcome Shaun, and thanks for your comment.
I'm glad you enjoyed this, it really was a refreshing story, and kudos for dragging your friends along too.
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