Moon - 2009

There's a moment late in Moon, Duncan Jones' science fiction film, which so closely resembles 2001 A Space Odyssey that it goes beyond mere simple homage or reference, but actually copies a scene. Yet despite this blasphemy, Moon is an excellent science fiction drama which is one of the most enjoyable, satisfying and interesting films released this year. In fact tt may well be the best film of the summer. Duncan Jones' directorial debut owes a big debt to 2001 and other serious science fiction films but he has managed to create a compelling dramatic conflict at the heart of the film and the themes and issues explored are all addressed in intriguing ways. Moon also benefits from the casting of Sam Rockwell who may indeed be the most accomplished American actor working today. He's an actor not uncomfortable when not relying on his looks and in his entire career he has used this ability to act, to steal the show. In Moon he actually gets to play against himself, and does so with such authority that he carries the film all the way.

The story focuses on Sam Bell (Rockwell) a lunar employee coming to the end of a three year stint on a solitary moonbase, with only the HAL like computer Gerty, voiced by Kevin Spacey, for company. It is clear thar Bell has been mentally affected by his isolation and he is soon confronted with a bigger threat to his sanity and existence.

The film, in classic serious science fiction territory explores concepts of humanity, Bell is confronted with his own existence and forced to accept that his reality is not the one he thought it was. This revelation comes as a catastrophic blow and delivers the biggest emotional punch of the film. The film also delivers a rather intriguing exploration of artificial or machine intelligence specifically looking at the role of dominance in the man/machine dynamic. At times Gerty seems to be at the service of Bell, and his mantra seems to be to do anything to make Bell safe and happy, yet on occasions he embodies a more sinister tone and mentality, clearly under the orders of command control. One of the great throughlines in this film was the tension between Bell and Gerty and whether Gerty, who controls the station would turn sinister, in a HAL way.

When the finale does arrive it feels original and unique, and Rockwell handles the emotional scenes brilliantly, never trying to draw attention to himself, instead completely inhabiting Bell.
What makes Moon so satisfying is that it is an intelligent, thoughtful and poignant film which belongs to a small band of science fiction cinema. In a summer of bloated, pointless and turgid science fiction fare, Moon is the relief and it's also got more tension and suspense than most of the summer films combined. Duncan Jones has marked himself out as a voice to watch, his cool, thoughtful direction is brilliant for a first timer and he never feels the need to deliver a big, explosive finale, instead sticking with his more solemn, considered tone and delivering something all the more satsifying.

Moon is one of the smartest, most intelligent and brilliant pieces of cinema of 2009. Rockwell solidifies his reputation as a actor of truly great ability and Duncan Jones emerges as a new, unique British voice; something which is always welcome.