A few thoughts on Solaris - Victor Khomenko

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A few thoughts on Solaris

Posted by Victor Khomenko (M) on January 23, 2006 at 06:15:43

I hate Clooney and I did not want to see his (and Soderbergh's) Solaris... first on my hunch, and then based on some reviews by the people I respect.

But a couple of days ago it was on a cable, so I stayed with it for a while.

It was immediately obviously that the direction was getting in the way of the story. It was cutting in the flow, the flow I grew up remembering, ever since reading the novel when it came out. Seeing the Tarkovsky's film later did not produce such a consternation - it seemed to retain the general idea, the mood of the book, even though some here would argue it had "distorted" it - I do not recall any such distortion... by heart... To me the most important element in such things is the mood, which as I said was preserved... the tension, the melancholy, the insightful self-examination... the terrible mental anguish associated with "visitors" and memories... I thought it was all extremely palpable in the first version.

Much to my surprise I got caught in the story again. Quickly the poor directing stepped aside, and Clooney's wooden delivery did not matter any longer, as the story and the emotion, helped no doubt by great dose of familiarity with the work, took over.

I was surprised how fresh and piercing emotions even this botched up presentation could produce, its main achievement perhaps being in not destroying the fabric completely... the rest still popping through and grabbing the viewer.

I do wonder, however, how would this film resonate with someone not familiar with the original work? Would it simply be just another lame sci-fi movie?

One could keep commenting on this film for a long time, comparing the directing, and - extremely importantly - actors... as the distance between the two acting crews is measured in light years... but maybe all this would be like shooting fish in the barrel.

Am I mad at Soderbergh for giving us his rendition? Hardly. It was his right, and even if he did not succeed, he became the proverbial stone in the swamp - sending waves though the viewing public... short lived ones, but still, I welcome any such event.

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Topic - A few thoughts on Solaris - Victor Khomenko 06:15:43 01/23/06 (15)

Re: A few thoughts on Solaris - Pjay 04:52:33 01/24/06 (0)

Solaris = Sominex (either version) - Audiophilander 11:52:38 01/23/06 (3)

"Alpo masquerading as liver pate" Yes indeedy ..nt - late 18:30:56 01/24/06 (0)

Could you be any more obtuse? - Donald 15:48:21 01/23/06 (1)

Is your name Victor? - Audiophilander 09:54:18 01/24/06 (0)

Re: Tarkovsky... - Jeff Starrs 10:56:26 01/23/06 (0)

Different opinion... - Doug Otte 10:45:59 01/23/06 (0)

Solaris - late 09:05:34 01/23/06 (3)

This is not really a sci-fi film so much as a film about death and longing, - tinear 18:19:14 01/23/06 (2)

I see, so the idea is to get the audience longing for death? ..nt - late 18:27:10 01/24/06 (0)

Yes. (nt) - Victor Khomenko 19:02:28 01/23/06 (0)

For me, Tarkovsky is like that wine that doesn't overwhelm - tinear 06:47:17 01/23/06 (3)

My problem with Tarkovsky... - Victor Khomenko 08:23:37 01/23/06 (0)

Re: For me, Tarkovsky is like that wine that doesn't overwhelm - Victor Khomenko 07:38:01 01/23/06 (1)

I figured as much, and, sigh, already placed it in my ever-expanding queue. nt - tinear 11:40:52 01/23/06 (0)

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