Synopsis: Astronaut Sam Bell in Moon is finishing up his three-year contract to harness energy on the Moon when his health begins to deteriorate and he is faced with something he cannot explain.
Release Date: June 12, 2009 MPAA Rating: PG-13
Genre(s): Science Fiction, Thriller
Film Review
Production
Moon is a rarity. It takes you on a journey that is thought provoking, mysterious, and wholeheartedly science fiction. You will have many questions, and many will be unanswered, but that is part of the enjoyment you get from watching Moon. It makes you think, and feel, and ponder the human existence. What makes us human and what do we need to sustain ourselves when we agree to live in solitude? How can we rectify the choices made by others for us when we have no knowledge of those decisions? Is progress at the expense of human life and the manipulation of human consciousness? The questions Moon raises are endless and completely dependent on how you view the reality created on screen. It is a fascinating story that portrays a future very different from those seen before and one full of corporate antics and deceit.
Acting
For an actor to carry an entire film is one thing. For that actor to be the only one on screen during the entire film is a feat most difficult and a possible recipe for disaster. Sam Rockwell (Sam Bell) pulls it off amazingly with a performance that is by far exceptional. As an Astronaut alone on the moon with only a computer to speak to and videos to watch he keeps you in the moment with him at all times. When he comes across the “other” inhabitant of the station his performance only gets more interesting as he is playing two very different people, who are essentially the same person. It makes for a dynamic performance that will keep you questioning his place in the world, the role he plays in the future, and how one person can come to terms with devastation on an emotional level.
Production Design
The reality of the space station and outer area of the moon are fantastic. You are completely taken away to this world and your suspension of belief is never broken. It actually feels real, not like a fake soundstage or poor computer generated background. Each and every detail is perfectly laid out in Moon and not overdone to make the future look more advanced than it actually may be in however many years. The lack of gimmicks gives the scenery a more intelligent feel and it is more probable for the viewer to believe it actually exists.
Cast and Crew
- Director(s): Duncan Jones
- Screenwriters: Nathan Parker, Duncan Jones
- Cast: Sam Rockwell (Sam Bell), Kaya Scodelario (Eve Bell), Matt Berry (Overmeyers), Robin Chalk (Sam), Kevin Spacey (voice of Robot)
- Other Crew: Nicolas Gaster, Gary Shaw, Tony Noble, Jane Petrie, Clint Mansell
- Country Of Origin: UK
