Solaris (2002)
Coming Out at 27 November 2002 in theaters.
Drama, Mystery, Romance
Solaris is science fiction drama film written and directed by Steven Soderbergh, produced by James Cameron and Jon Landau, and starring George Clooney and Natascha McElhone. It is based on the 1961 science fiction novel of the same name by Polish writer Stanisław Lem.
Reflecting on Andrei Tarkovsky’s critically acclaimed 1972 film Solaris (which was itself preceded by a 1968 Soviet TV film), Soderbergh promised to be closer in spirit to Lem’s novel. Still, Lem disliked both renderings.
The film is set almost entirely on a space station orbiting the planet Solaris, adding flashbacks to the previous experiences of its main characters on Earth. Clooney’s character struggles with the questions of Solaris’s motivation, his beliefs and memories, and reconciling what was lost with an opportunity for a second chance.
Clinical psychologist Dr. Chris Kelvin is approached by emissaries for DBA, a corporation operating a space station orbiting the planet Solaris, who relay a message sent from his scientist friend Dr. Gibarian. Gibarian requests that Kelvin come to the station to help understand an unusual phenomenon but is unwilling to explain more. DBA is unsure how to proceed, as the mission to study Solaris has been sidetracked and none of the astronauts want to return home. In addition, DBA has lost contact with the security patrol recently dispatched to the station. Kelvin agrees to a solo mission to Solaris as a last attempt to bring the crew home safely.
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Writers: Stanislaw Lem (novel), Steven Soderbergh
Stars: George Clooney, Natascha McElhone, Viola Davis, Jeremy Davies, Ulrich Tukur, John Cho, Morgan Rusler
| George Clooney | … | Chris Kelvin |
| Natascha McElhone | … | Rheya |
| Viola Davis | … | Gordon |
| Jeremy Davies | … | Snow |
| Ulrich Tukur | … | Gibarian |
| John Cho | … | DBA Emissary #1 |
| Morgan Rusler | … | DBA Emissary #2 |
| Shane Skelton | … | Gibarian’s Son |
| Donna Kimball | … | Mrs. Gibarian |
| Michael Ensign | … | Friend #1 |
| Elpidia Carrillo | … | Friend #2 |
| Kent Faulcon | … | Patient #1 |
| Lauren Cohn | … | Patient #2 |
| Tony Clemons | … | Dinner Guest |
| Jennie Baek | … | Passenger |
| Dale Hawes | … | Pedestrian |
| Annie Morgan | … | Nurse |
| Antonio Rochira | … | Party Guest |
| Jude S. Walko | … | City Dweller |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia