you have to do some of the work yourself

Rating: 10/10 (8 June 1999)

Oh my, how sci-fi fans--weaned on "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and "War of the Worlds"-- must have loathed this film upon its release in 1968. This movie, containing no malevolant aliens, no battle scenes, nor any threat to Earth, except from ourselves, threw the entire science fiction lexicon out the proverbial air-lock. The audience bristled, and many walkouts were assured. It was found wanting by the mainstream critics as well, and alternative critics in the day were few. " I really like dialogue in my films" a few were heard saying. "What about the plot" said others. " We never get to know the characters," "you never understand what is going on," "nothing ever happens" blah, blah, blah. Well that's just fine: you guys didn't deserve this film anyways. On the other hand, if you love allegory, expressive imagery, depth, and classical music, then you will have a never-ending affair with this film. Put all other observations aside: this film is about Birth, expressed by the monolith(a long-time symbol for simplicity, the essential origins of life) and the fetus-star in the final scenes. Birth of a new world? Of a new species? Rebirth of man? You'll have to decide that for yourself. Greatness in art arises from ambiguities. The theme represents a wonderful paradox in the film: we have to abandon our cradle to reconnect with our origins. An important philosophical question emerges: man's pursuits, all of which seek transcendance, might all be only an attempt to reconnect with our primordial beginnings. We only want to taste mother's milk again. I love a movie that makes you ponder.