Moon

A lot goes into making a film. A lot of time, a lot of work, a lot of people and more often than not a lot of money. So when an entire film rests on the performance of one sole actor, it must be a lot of pressure. Take “Castaway,” the Tom Hanks stranded on an island film, for example. Most of that film is just Hanks… On an island… Doing a whole lot of nothing. But that film is actually great, and it’s because the performance made it great. That was the challenge set before Sam Rockwell in the new movie “Moon,” to be the sole actor in the film and still perform the hell out of it and make it great.

“Moon” is the story of a man who’s reaching the end of his three year contract to single-handedly manage a mining operation on the moon. His only companionship is a helpful computer named GERTY. Having been alone for so long he begins to see things that aren’t there. And after being injured in a mining accident he begins to see and interact with another version of himself. This film is utterly astounding. It is the best science fiction film to come around in awhile. The special effects of the moonscapes and grey dusty vistas are brilliant, and the score highlights the loneliness and coldness of space. Sam Rockwell is beyond great in this film. Acting against himself for a large portion of the movie, he is remarkable. His ability to become this character and simultaneously another version of the same character is nothing short of perfect. It is reminiscent of what Jeremy Irons was able to do in “Dead Ringers.” And similarly this is a film that explores the nature of identity, rather than being about isolation the way “Castaway” was. But it’s also about human rights and the ethics of business, believe it or not. The film will surprise you in so many ways.

This film also offers a lot to reflect on, which is what good science fiction is supposed to do. It was also satisfying that the main characters computerized companion isn’t homicidal. After films like “Terminator,” and “2001: A Space Odyssey,” an obvious touchstone for this film, it’s a pleasant thought that maybe computers can actually help us instead of just killing us. GERTY might very well be the anti-HAL. This film honors the legacy of science fiction classics like “2001.” Seek this film out. It is not the usual Hollywood fireworks that we get during the summer. This is a substantial film, and a triumph that transcends its genre while staying true to the best parts of it. It is a genuinely amazing feat of pure filmmaking talent.