Directed by:
Andrei Arsenyevich TarkovskyScreenplay:
Andrei Arsenyevich TarkovskyCinematography:
Vadim YusovComposer:
Eduard ArtemyevCast:
Nataliya Bondarchuk, Донатас Банионис, Jüri Järvet, Anatoly Solonitsyn, Nikolay Grinko, Vladislav Dvorzhetsky, Raimundas Banionis, Bagrat Oganesyan (more)Plots(1)
Solaris is a love story rich with emotion and mystery, set within a science fiction framework. The story, which takes place sometime in the future, opens as Dr. Chris Kelvin is asked to investigate the unexplained behaviour of a small group of scientists aboard the space station Prometheus, who have cut off all communication with Earth. Elvin undertakes the journey after watching a communiqu from his close friend Gibarian, the missions commander, who seeks Kelvins help abroad the Prometheus for reasons Gibarian is unwilling or unable to explain. Keenly aware that his opinion will decide the fate of the orbital station, Kelvin is shocked by what he finds upon his arrival. Gibarian has committed suicide and the two remaining scientists are exhibiting signs of extreme stress and paranoia, seemingly caused by the results of their examination of the planet Solaris. Kelvin, too, becomes entrapped in the unique worlds mysteries. Solaris, somehow, presents him with a second chance at love to change the course of a past relationship that has caused him overwhelming guilt and remorse. But can he really revisit and alter the past? Or is he fated to repeat its mistakes? Solaris is a visually hypnotic, deep affecting story of conscience, love and reconciliation. (Shock Entertainment)
(more)Reviews (8)
It’s similarly difficult to grasp as 2001: A Space Odyssey, but equally strong in its interpretative depth, perhaps even stronger. Tarkovsky's film doesn't rely on visual spectacle; instead, the Russian creator opts for philosophical sci-fi where everything unfolds primarily through dialogue and memories rather than necessarily through visuals. There are scenes inside ships, but they are very limited. This is how sci-fi can be filmed, mainly because the narrative is equally strong.
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The more times I see it, the more I love it. Maybe the runtime is excessive, maybe some of the scenes don't make sense (and yet they still feel magical, for example the drive down the highway), but everything else – especially the atmosphere, the visual compositions hand in hand with the haunting music, the interesting philosophical musings, etc. – all make Tarkovsky's film one of my most magical cinematic experiences in years. This is the kind of uncompromising artistic statement you hardly see anymore in modern cinema.
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The Tarkovsky scarecrow may not be such a major problem if we view Solaris through the lens of contemporary science fiction. The result will, unfortunately (or thankfully), be just another film that has not withstood the ravages of time. Of course, you can also read Lem's novel, watch the modern remake and, with a slightly ironic smile, look for the old TV version. All science fiction before Star Wars has its limits, including Tarkovsky's opus. I really don't appreciate a spaceship whose integral part is the icons of Andrei Rublev spread out in the cabins. I really, really don’t.
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A non-commercial, artistic sci-fi masterpiece that doesn't have that much to say compared to the brilliant Stalker, but it remains more than pleasant to watch after all these years. Unfortunately, I don't like it much when I'm sucked into a whirlpool of dense atmosphere, timeless motifs and tiresome philosophising for three hours, only to not understand the final twist at all and not be able to put all the beautiful pieces of the complex puzzle together into an even more impressive whole. Maybe one day the Holy Spirit will shine on me and I will be able to appreciate this formally perfect film as it surely deserves, but in a normal state of mind, that's not in sight. 70%
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I decided to watch this film hoping for an extraordinary experience, which is what I ended up getting. I was so unexpectedly and massively disappointed that it can’t be called anything but an extraordinary experience. The main theme was not bad at all, but the creators unfortunately managed to stretch out the length far beyond what I could possibly bear. At least half of the film is filled with protracted shots of the countryside (or traffic - the taxi ride seemed endless, and it was completely unnecessary, but probably highly artistic), and staying focused felt like a superhuman feat. Good thing it wasn’t me but my replica who had to suffer through it.
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