Solaris (5)

I had heard that the remake of this film was worse than the original. If that is so, then I'm glad that I watched this original from 1972 because even that was not so good. I give it a 5 (I've seen it once, maybe I'll enjoy it more the next time).


After a scientists mysteriously kills himself, Kris is sent to the space station Solaris to find out what is going on. The station is a mess, and the other two scientists are behaving strangely. The ocean planet below is some sort of ocean intelligence that can change thoughts into reality, and it materialises Kris's wife who has been dead for a decade. She is confused about her identity - philosophical discussions about life, and what is means to be human ensue. A fever creates vivid fantasies which become mixed with alternate reality. Kris resigns to return to Earth... almost.


The film is very slow, with long shots and wide angles reminiscent of 2001 A Space Odyssey. There is a five minute segment of driving along Japanese highways (I read the signs) that might sound painful to watch, but it fits this film. Even the segments drained of colour are ok. The story descends into confusion of love and death, and contact with understandable alien intelligence, but that also fits this film. I don't really care about the philosophical questions, but it got me thinking. And it's a depressing film of death and life, but I'll remember it for a long time because of it's unusualness. This film does not give obvious answers, or any answers at all, there are no spectacular special effects or monsters, so don't expect your eyes to be entertained, it will tickle your brain instead.

By the way, the dubbing is very good for this Russian film, unlike in Daywatch. However, there were a few passages in the film when the dubbing stopped, and subtitles had be used - maybe these sections were restored.