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Solaris: our review

Starring: George Clooney, Natascha McElhone, Viola Davis, Jeremy Davis, Ulrich Tukur
Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
Running time: 99mins
Cert: 12A

Too often science fiction movies mistake style for substance, with the characters and plot taking a backseat to barren otherworld landscapes, sleek spaceships and groovy swooping interiors all done up in white (because nothing gets dirty in space). But while Steven Soderbergh's Solaris is stylish, the focus is firmly on its subtle but gripping story of the characters that inhabit it.

George Clooney plays Dr. Chris Kelvin, a melancholy psychologist asked to investigate the strange behaviour of scientists on a space station, one of whom is a friend. When Kelvin arrives, he discovers his friend has committed suicide and the two scientists remaining are acting a little strange. Kelvin soon discovers something strange himself: His beloved but dead wife (Natascha McElhone) appears on the ship - perhaps giving him a second chance at love? A little bizarre and esoteric, yes. But what makes this story work is that it's not about looking into the farthest reaches of outer space but the abyss of inner depths.

Unlike Soderbergh's more recent hits like Erin Brockovitch and Ocean's 11, this film feels like it reaches back to the style of 1989's Sex, Lies & Videotape and the urgent inner lives of the characters. As Kelvin tries to unravel what's occurring onboard and what role the nearby planet Solaris plays, he spends as much time delving into his own memories, hopes and regrets as tracking down answers to his mission.

Conclusion: Instead of the usual man-against-alien conflict, this movie poses a much more interesting question: Given the choice between happiness and reality, which would you pick?

Marks out of 10: Seven

Solaris is out now on DVD

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