A remake of Andrei Tarkovsky’s 1972 cult film it begins when Psychologist Chris Kelvin (George Clooney) receives a disturbing communiqué from the commander of the space station Prometheus, that has severed all communication with Earth. When Kelvin arrives the commandeer, who is a friend of Kelvin’s, has committed suicide and the surviving two members are exhibiting strong signs of stress and paranoia. Then things go from weird to weirder when his dead wife inexplicably shows up. 

Soderbergh has described this as a cross between “2001” and “Last Tango in Paris”. I think it’s more like a cross between “2001” and “Alien” with a little bit of “When Harry Met Sally” thrown in for good measure. When Kelvin first gets to The Prometheus the movie has a feel of a sci-fi horror film. I was sure someone was going to get his or her face sucked off but good. But after Kelvin’s wife Rhea (Natasha McElhone) shows up it becomes  a bird of a different color. Using flashbacks we get to see Chris and Rhea’s relationship from their first meeting at a hip party to the dark days before her suicide. This is intercut between scenes of Rhea and Chris trying to figure out exactly what is going on. Rhea seems to be more concerned than Chris as to whether or not she is real.

 It is a testament to Soderbergh’s skill as a director that the movie is at it’s best when people are talking. Whether it is Chris or Rhea (so to speak) trying to figure things out or the ship’s medic (Viola Davis) arguing with Chris about Rhea. “Solaris” is very cerebral but never boring. I think the eerie score by Cliff Martinez helps a lot.

But so does the acting, which is superb. George Clooney, to me at least, is the closest this generation has to a genuine movie star. He has equal parts charisma, talent and dashing good looks. Natasha McElhone, who plays Rheya, not only looks like someone who would attract someone like Kelvin but she does a fearless job making us feel Rheya’s torment. Kudos must also go to Viola Davis and Jeremy Davies, who play the crewmembers.

I must take issue with the ad campaign for “Solaris” It’s depicting it as a thrill a minute action flick. It’s not and you will be sorely disappointed if you’re expecting one. But if you’re looking for an intelligent beautifully made science fiction movie go no further.