Solaris is a 1972 movie directed by Andrei Tarkovsky.
WHAT HAPPENS?
A psychologist is sent to investigate strange occurrences on the Solaris space base. He discovers the remaining scientists have communicated with a mysterious alien intelligence that somehow extracts their thoughts and memories.
ONE LINE REVIEW
Solaris is a moody, patient, spectacular exploration of memory and reality.
THE ACTORS
Danatas Banionis plays psychologist Kris Kelvin – he imprints the character with a heaviness and loss that ultimately drives the movie. It’s a demanding role as Tarkovsky patiently allows his dialogue-heavy scenes to unfold. Much of the movie sees Banionis defending both science and humanity. The emotional aspects of his character evolve once his memory of his former wife materializes into an alien form.
Natalya Bondarchuk plays Khari, Kris’ wife who has been dead for ten years. Her role is fascinating as the character is essentially forming memories into a life form. As Khari, she doesn’t know herself beyond Kris’ conception of her. It’s fascinating to see the different versions of the character appear and interact with Kris. Bondarchuk skillfully navigates Khari’s tenuous emotional hold on her husband.
The rest of the cast features Juri Jarvet as Dr. Snaut, both a staunch defender of science and ultimate realist. At times, Jarvet portrays Snaut as a bitter cynic – he casually challenges his colleagues in the form of existential questions. Tarkovsky regular Anatoliy Solonitsyn is Dr. Sartorius, who is a rigid believer in the truth of science. His character is a cold, efficient scientist who disregards the importance of humanity. As usual, Solonitsyn dominates his scenes and presents an unlikable character, but one that nonetheless understands the difficult truths of life.
THE DIRECTOR
Andrei Tarkovsky creates a lush, moody environment that is saturated with intrigue and loss. Both Kris’ country home and the Solaris station reflect the strange nature of reality present in a lot of his works. Kris’ home is a dreamy mix of loss and hope – the roaming horse and interludes of rain showers seem to symbolize his veneer of a life passed. The station is battered and somewhat chaotic – resembling the scientists’ abandonment of hope.
Typical of his other works, Tarkovsky allows his scenes to fully develop. His patience is extraordinary – both in terms of his character’s dialogue and employing his trademark long tracking shots. The most brilliant aspect of the movie is the air of thick mystery enveloping every shot. There are few directors who can create atmosphere better than Tarkovsky.
THE BEST – Which is Better: Memories or Reality?
This question becomes the central theme of the movie. Regarding the alien intelligence accessing the scientists’ minds, Banionis’ Kris asks Dr. Snaut: “what would I see?” Snaut replies: “I don’t know. That sort of depends on you.”
Kris is aware that Khari is a conception of his memory and he sees the emotional decline Snaut and Sartorious have suffered due to the intelligence. After jettisoning the first version of Khari into space, he relents and grows closer to the next. We’re not sure if he can still separate the two beings and Tarkovsky leaves us with a difficult question to answer.
THE BEST Part 2 – Snaut’s Wisdom
Snaut asks the kind of questions that require a level of human introspection that society may not be capable of providing. Some of his best work includes:
“We don’t know what to do with other worlds. We need a mirror to extend Earth to other worlds.”
“When man is happy, the meaning of life and other eternal themes rarely interest him. These questions should be asked at the end of one’s life.”
“Don’t turn a scientific problem into a common love story.”
THE BEST Part 3 – Kris’ Rock Star Outfit
Kris rocks too-tight pants and a chain mail-esque shirt. But when you only see two other scientists and an apparition, anything goes.
THE BEST Part 4 – 70s Soviet FaceTime
The old joke is Soviets couldn’t build a working toaster – yet in movie form, they’ve created technology more reliable than Zoom.
THE WORST – The Little Man
Sartorious has some explaining to do.
THE WORST Part 2 – 2001 Allusions That Probably Weren’t Intentional
During Snaut’s drunken wandering sequence, a crooked computer tower juts out of the floor. Upon first viewing, I was convinced this was an allusion to the monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Sadly, it turns out Tarkovsky didn’t see 2001 until after he finished his movie. Still, it’s fun to think Tarkovsky was digging at Kubrick.
FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 4.5/5
Solaris is extraordinary science fiction and leaves us with wonderful questions to ponder.
