Spaceman

Six months into a solo mission, a lonely astronaut confronts the cracks in his marriage with help from a mysterious creature he discovers on his ship.

In a Nutshell:

It's a little too slow and a little too philosophical.It is a psychological thriller in which a man fights with his own guilt and how he overcomes it Although,It is beautiful to look at and it features another great dramatic performance from Adam Sandler. The rest of the movie is a mixed bag with a rather lackluster story, some terrible pacing and a mostly wasted supporting cast.

Spoiler:

Based on Jaroslav Kalfar book Spaceman of Bohemia, the movie stars Sandler (as fictional Czech astronaut Jakub Prochazka, who is sent on a mission to edge of solar system shortly after collapse of his marriage to Lenka (Carey Mulligan).

I'll say that Adam Sandler is a good actor, even a great one. When refocusing from raunchy buddy comedies with his usual crew of 90's comedian friends, he finds projects that he can truly and unequivocally blossom. With these projects becoming more prevalent for the legendary star, it only made sense to make the lateral move into sci-fi.

Spaceman is something else. Soft around the edges, chillingly isolated, and moody to an almost uncomfortable degree, this film has a peculiarity that I can't quite put my finger on. Spaceman Jakub grapples with hardships that are equal parts relatable yet unimaginable. It's clear that he has been on this mission an agonizingly long time , literally floating in an emotional limbo that is ironically heavy.

Aside from the harsh void, there is an internal vortex of pain, loneliness, and aimlessness that is heavy on Jakub's heart away from his partner, Lenka (Carey Mulligan). Denis Villeneuve's film Enemy comes to mind when we meet a large space spider (which Jakub names Hanus) voiced by Paul Dano, an English-speaking extraterrestrial who guides Jakub through his psyche, painstakingly examining what Jakub is truly after.

The darkness is a mirror emotion of interpersonal turmoil that exists in the claustrophic tin can they inhabit would be more effective if it didn't feel like the weirdest therapy session you can think of. The effect that is desired of us feels almost forced. However, this is made up for by stellar performances by the main cast. Believability and authenticity are the main ingredients of this unusual space oddyssey. This, combined with visuals that are breathtakingly beautiful, culminate into a third act that firmly holds your heart in a moment that intersects the beauty and vastness of a universe yet to be fully embraced.

It is not as complicated of a movie as it wants you to believe. Complexity of emotions and the pressures of Jakub's world almost act as a smokescreen of feelings that at times feel artificial, but the strength of the drama and cresendo of internal exploration make up for this to create a film that reminds you of Adam Sandler's potential.

We are all fleeting beings in the blink of an eye, but emotions are rare. This film fails to create the tension of a space travel film and the dialogue is heavy. It may not appeal to the general public, but it is a film for those who have difficulty controlling their thoughts, fears, and emotions.Anyway, I'm glad I saw this movie and I hope to see it again soon.