‘Moon’ Review
by John NolteWith a cold, foreboding atmosphere and perfect pacing, director Duncan Jones’ impressive feature debut, “Moon,” immediately sweeps you up in its existential look at the human condition of Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell), a mining engineer on the dark side of the moon with only two weeks to go on a three-year stint spent in almost total isolation.
In what’s pretty much a one-man show, Rockwell’s superb as an ordinary man counting down the days until his flight home to a wife he misses more with each passing minute and a daughter born just before his shift began. Due to technical problems, he can’t communicate in real-time with anyone, including his loved ones and the people who run the company he works for. The long delay between each space transmission only serves to increase Sam’s feeling of disconnect and loneliness — and the strain’s starting to show. Every day he looks as though his very lifeforce is draining from him and the hallucinations have begun.
Sam’s only company is GERTY (voiced ably by Kevin Spacey), a manservant robot with one of those HAL 9000 voices so calming it chills. GERTY’s generic, yellow-faced emoticons (a throwback to the 70’s, like the film itself) only adds to the machine’s menacing, passive-aggressive lack of humanity, but after crashing a lunar rover into one of the company’s four hulking surface-mining machines (each named after one of the four Gospels), a spooky robot becomes the least of Sam’s problems.
Aided by a confident, visually-gifted director and a tight script that hits all the right emotional turning points, Rockwell delivers a memorable performance worthy of Oscar consideration. Like Tom Hanks in “Castaway,” for long periods of screen time (most of it set in a single claustrophobic location), Rockwell effortlessly holds the screen with a tour de force performance that engages all of your attention and even more of your sympathy.
Reportedly, “Moon” was inspired by the director’s affection for “2001,” “Silent Running” and other films from the 60’s and 70’s that similarly dwelled on space and isolation, and this shows (though I’d argue “Moon” is far superior to “2001″ and “Running,” both of which bore me stiff). But for my money “Moon” is much closer in style, mood and flavor to the best film of 2007, “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” (which also starred Rockwell), another beautifully realized character study that rooted around the soul to see what constitutes an individual’s humanity, and through elegiac pacing, cast a dream-like spell you never want broken.
But most of all, “Moon” is about the irreplaceable value of the human individual. On the surface – in the text — the bad guys are just another liberal Hollywood trope, but in reality – in the subtext – the villain is a callous, selfish mindset that devalues the individual and marginalizes certain types of human life if the ends justify a cause and a convenience. This is what makes it so distinctive from the films that inspired its creator. Whereas “2001″ refuses to acknowledge humanity and “Silent Running” flaunts a self-satisfied moral superiority, in “Moon” the only thing that matters is Sam — an ordinary working-class guy who loves his family, signs off his transmissions with “Rock-n-roll and God bless America,” and just wants to go home.
Existentialism isn’t easy to pull off, especially for a first time director. But Jones keeps his eye where it belongs, squarely on his central character, one of us, someone we can relate to on first glance. He also doesn’t answer any of his own questions (the key to avoiding pretension) and in the best tradition of the genre, leaves open the possibility that it was all just a terrible dream.
But even if it was, that doesn’t make what happens any less poignant.
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36 Comments
Production values were terrific. Rockwell was good. The story revealed itself in about a half hour. I paid $14 for an Outer Limits episode.
I really like Sam Rockwell, even in movies I don't particularly care for. I first noticed him in The Green Mile and he was about the only good thing in Hitchhikers Guide. I too loved the Jesse James flick, and can't imagine any other actor who would have an easier time holding the screen for an entire feature. I look forward to seeing Moon – I'll put it on my Amazon list – and the second Iron Man film, which Rockwell is also in.
I was planning on seeing this anyway, but if there had been any doubt, you have removed it. Much like In Bruges, this sounds like another exceptional effort by a first time director.
A great film and I love this review. I wish Hollywood would make more films like this.
Sounds interesting, but I refuse to support anything made by those involved with the Hitchhiker's abomination.
Ooo…the word "elegiac." Usually code for something I will find dreary and slow. John, I give you props for not mentioning that Duncan Jones is David Bowie's son! I barely made it through "Jesse James," and while I admire Rockwell's skills, (he's so…rodentlike) this just doesn't call to me. I kinda called the "twist" after I saw a few clips.
I'm a geek so I totally sympathize but isn't that a tad harsh? Rockwell was a supporting character; he didn't write or direct the film.
he was great as chuck barris. didnt look like him. but he played the part well. for a lunacy movie. chuck barris international spy. lol
Wow – this sounds fascinating. Thank you so much for the heads-up. It came as no surprise he was inspired by the past films on this subject, I knew right away from the first paragraph and that wonderful photo.
Time to be pedantic—
There is no "dark side of the moon". It's the "far side". (Once again, our album covers lie to us.)
But surely on the far side, it is also dark! ;-D
You should see him in "Box of Moonlight", one of my favorite quirky movies with Rockwell
"But most of all, “Moon” is about the irreplaceable value of the human individual. On the surface – in the text — the bad guys are just another liberal Hollywood trope, but in reality – in the subtext – the villain is a callous, selfish mindset that devalues the individual and marginalizes certain types of human life if the ends justify a cause and a convenience."
Well said. Individualism is coming around – finally – in the face of overwhelming Statist bs. What seems to get lost in Conservatism, though, is the value of the Individual. It's quite popular when talking about abortion and end of life issues, but otherwise, tends to get lost. The sooner the Individual ceases to be devalued, the better, but I'm not bullish on this outlook. A great review, though, and can't wait to see this film I'd never heard of before reading said review.
/Ape beating other ape to death with femur was coolest beatdown evah
Saw this yesterday and enjoyed it much. (Do kinda of wish I'd gone on Monday – the 40th anniversery of the Moon walk.) Glad you didn't give anything away in the review.
Only during the lunar night on that side. Duh…..
Fantastic and amazing film. I've told everyone I know to go see it
In Bruges is fantastic. I've watched it three or four times already, and it's still growing on me – I keep noticing more cool stuff.
Sounds great. I hope it gets a showing here in Oz soon.
Unfortunately, when you live out in what is considered the sticks, which is really only an hours drive out of Sydney, the powers that be seem to think we wouldn't appreciate a movie that is a little different to the usual "in your face", blockbuster. We really have to seek them out and travel a fair way to view them.
Enough of my whingeing, I will see this no matter what. Sam Rockwell is particularly under-rated, which makes his characters in whatever films he is in even more rewarding to watch. Thanks for the heads up. I love this Blog.
As for what Tennessee Jed said above, In Bruges has definitely been one of the best Films of the year.
I think there's a difference. On The Outer Limits the twist was the climax of the story, but here it's the opening crisis of the story.
No, but he was in it, so f_ck him.
(I can't tell you how many times I've heard some wounded geek writing off everyone who was the least bit involved with that film, out of sheer spite.)
Hucbald: I love Colin Farrell's line "I'd like a gay beer for my gay friend and a straight beer for me"; and don't forget the "little person" who is forecasting a Charles Manson style global conflict. Still, the scene where Brendan Gleeson, fatally shot and quickly bleeding to death drags himeself to the top of the bell tower to warn his friend . . . all played out against the soundtrack of the Dubliner's singing "On Raglin Road." That is nothing less than magnificent!
Me have to pick up scrabble letters and throw them at people who didn't like HHGTG movie… Now where's that "q"?
I concur. I think Clint Mansell is Philip Glass's successor as the true master of minimalism.
I haven't gone into a movie theater since "Master and Commander" but it sounds like I can finally go back. I get the impression reading the plot outline that Stanislaw Lem deserves credit for some inspiration as well. Lem's book "Memoirs Found in a Bathtub", about a self perpetuating, all consuming automated bureaucracy, or "The Futurological Congress" about a perpetually sedated socialist society whose rosy view of a well ordered society of beautiful people is generated by constant dosing of hallucinogens would be very timely film projects right about now.
I was planning on seeing this and will definately go now…. great article!
The "So Long and Thanks for All the Fish" musical number cracks me up everytime!
I tried to like "In Bruges," but I still haven't quite forgiven Colin Farrell for "Alexander." While there were a few laughs for me I guess it was a movie about criminals (and really nasty criminals) that I just couldn't dredge up any sympathy for. (as opposed to those lovable entrepreneurs in The Godfather movies; I know, it's hypocritical–I can live with that.) Ralph Fiennes as always knocks it out of the park, though.
maatkare – we are human and, as such, all hypocrites by nature. In a way, I think that was the director's point. These guys were thugs of the nastiest order, but as human beings, it is rare that anyone can be quite so easily or singularly defined. Gleeson, is the gay hit man who appreciates art and culture and ultimately sacrifices himself to try and save his friend. Farrell feels genuine remorse at killing the innocent. Fiennes, the nastiest of them all even displays his own sense of honor at the end of the film when he realizes he committed the same sin for which he was unwilling to forgive Farrell. That whole dialogue between Gleeson and Fiennes in the bell tower IS the movie to me. And, I just love the way it was shot and scored.
There is a lyric from an old, heretofore forgotten song by The Velvet Underground titled "Some Kinds of Love." If my memory holds the lyric goes something like this: "like a dirty French novel, it combines the absurd with the vulgar," and although "it may be a boor, in that it is not charmless." I guess those lines pretty much sum up my view of In Bruges. In the same vein, did you ever see "Performance" with James Fox and Mick Jaggar? There are some eery similarities in theme and style.
To quote my own earlier statements about Moon:
The film really addresses questions that should make people think harder, regardless of their political stripe. It doesn't take a stand on one side or another.
Without spoiling anything, I think I can say that if Moon has any political statement to make, it is this: Simply because corporations, scientists or individuals can do something doesn't mean that they ought to; to always "consider the consequences" is an ethical imperative. Personally, I don't have any problem with that…
And before anyone queries me sarcastically about "considering the consequences" of going into space and further advancing our knowledge of the universe, let me say that going into space will inevitably have some effect on the people who actually go there. Space is big — and lonely. The nature and consequences of that loneliness are, to a great degree, what this movie is about.
(Also — would anyone argue if I said it was necessary to 'consider the consequences' of, say, embryonic stem-cell research? I ask because a VERY similar issue is part of the film's central conflict.)
Individualism is coming around – finally – in the face of overwhelming Statist bs.
Really, Statism is actually more dangerous than individualism in the matter of corporate malfeasance. Corrupt businesses can get away with way more evil s__t if they're operating under the protection and sponsorship of the state, rather than outside it.
There's nothing more frightening than government and big business in bed together, instead of at each other's throats — and the Left has the audacity to claim that that's happening right now. I don't agree, but that's what we would inevitably become with statist and collectivist politicians at the wheel… much like Germany in the Thirties. In fact, EXACTLY like Germany in the Thirties.
Corporate malfeasance is a blip on the radar screen in comparison to the damage Statist regimes have wrought in the last 100 years (I know "Statist" is a vague phrase). Such regimes pick corporiations clean while installing their own leaders – see what El Presidente has done at GM for a nice glimpse of Obama-led corporatism.
If we want to look at corporate malfeasance at home, we can start with GE and the other leeches who have lobbied heavily for the Cap-n-Trade (and GE is by no means alone), but even that is not evil (immoral, unethical, should be illegal – but not evil). Corporations as perpetrators of evil is highly overrated. States, only the other hand, have a long history of it.
Great quote, I guess I just didn't find the charm in "Bruges" that others did. When my main thought was, 'wow, those high alcohol, Belgian beers they're drinking sure look yummy,' I clearly am not bonding with the material. But that's why it's great there are tons of movies to pick & choose from! You can't fall in love with all of 'em. I saw "Performance" eons ago–like over 20–I'll have to find and catch it again.
LOL
Count me in as a fan. I like big buget bug hunts as much as the next nerdgirl, but it was refreshing to see a story asking what it means to be human even as we pursue technologies that try to break free of limitations — as human nature compels us to. Gee, it's like reading a really great science fiction short story from the 70's. And it had model work instead of CGI! Does that make it retro cool?
I saw it today at my local miniplex, which wisely provides both inyerface escapism and small art films. May it live long and prosper!
John, you're right about the subtext. I figured the movie out early on, but I still enjoyed watching it unfold. There was a lot of sentiment in there that was very much against the grain of Hollywood.
Well I liked HITCHIKER'S.
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