Movie Review: Solaris

**** out of 5 stars

There have been countless numbers of both good and horrible movies made about space travel. They have indulged human curiosity and the need for an answer to the question "What exists that cannot be seen?"

Academy Award winners James Cameron and Steven Soderbergh team up as producer and director, respectively, to tackle the unknown in "Solaris," a remake of the 1972 film directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, which was based on Stanislaw Lem's 1961 novel. The film's heavily conceptual story will leave those expecting to see intense laser space battles or little green men disappointed, though the much-publicized, valuable peeks at George Clooney's well-maintained backside are indeed present.

"Solaris" is a film full of mystery, passion and love, all set within a science fiction framework. The story, which takes place in the far-off future, opens as Dr. Chris Kelvin (George Clooney) is asked by close friend and mission commander Gibarian (Ulrich Tukur) to investigate the unexplained behavior of a small group of scientists aboard the space station Prometheus. Although Kelvin is supposedly the best man for the job, his qualifications are not explained before he is sent to the planet Solaris.

Upon his arrival, Kelvin is surprised to find that only two scientists - Snow (Jeremy Davies) and Gordon (Viola Davis) - remain. Both apparently suffer from extreme stress, paranoia and depression. The enigma lies in the origin of the symptoms.

Although Gordon warns Kelvin against the allure of Solaris, the beautiful and unique planet traps Kelvin with its mysteries, presenting him with a "visit" from his dead wife, Rheya (Natasha McElhone), and the opportunity to change the course of a past that has caused him overwhelming guilt and grief.

This movie raises vexing issues about the nature of reality and how one can distinguish imagination from actual existence. The biggest question of all, which Kelvin must answer for himself, is which is better: to live without love or to live with a replica of it?

The influence of Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" on Soderbergh's adaptation of "Solaris" was evident through the ambiance, visual technique, and philosophy of the film.

However, Lem's novel focuses much more on how the planet reacted to stimulation from the space station Prometheus and developed its own intelligence. As a result, Solaris infected each Promethean resident with a manifestation of his or her subconscious. The movie, although similar, is more concerned with Kelvin's character and his story of love and loss.

His personal conflict is masterfully displayed through Soderbergh's trademark flashback sequences and use of dialogue that carries over in multiple scenes. Episodic glimpses of Kelvin's marriage back on Earth heighten the immediacy of his dangerous situation in the space station. The final crucial decision Kelvin makes effectively shows that the past is just an important factor as bereavement and the odd red and blue planet.

This movie is a breath of fresh air for Clooney fans. Before "Solaris," his performances required only that he act sexy and charming. This time, he plays a very dramatic, vulnerable and uncertain character, and he does it well.

A 90-minute mind game, "Solaris" will cause viewers to question what they think they already know. The acting is good and the imagery is superb, but its story is what makes "Solaris" stand out. It is a film fit for a philosopher, not for a viewer seeking mindless entertainment.