An expensive mess

Rating: 5/10 (15 November 2014)

There are some great moments in this film but fatal flaws in the story and script. It does succeed in building suspense and providing a visual "wow" factor, but only after it has lost viewer conviction by a lot of silliness and implausibility. I went to see it as I do many sci-fi films hoping to have a similar experience to that provided by 2001 : a Space Odyssey in the 1960s. Alas recent attempts all fall short by comparison, by succumbing to the temptation to include a lot of cheap tricks. Instead of relying on the scenario, story and setting to provide the engagement factor, American directors can't resist introducing the macho hero, the improbable baddie and schmaltzy sentimentality. Oh for a bit of discipline! The first part of the film is frankly painful. Matthew McConaughey drawls and postures and has a vapid open-mouthed expression most of the time. It's pretty much impossible to understand what he is saying. The situation on Earth is difficult to understand and doesn't achieve any credibility. The science seems to be gobbledy-gook, which holds for the entire film. Interest improves when they get out into space and some of the situations create considerable tension, enabling the viewer to sit out the film with a better grace. Towards the end the story disintegrates into incomprehensible nonsense. A lot of the sentimental basis of the film rests on Cooper's relationship with his daughter, so it's a significant flaw that the 3 actresses who play her do not resemble each other facially (obviously a problem, but not handled well). Matt Damon can't do much with his admittedly silly part, and doesn't look too interested. Altogether, what a waste of resources. This film needed a guiding genius, as I am assuming the weaknesses reflect "too many cooks". However a really good story followed fairly closely (as was the case in 2001) would have been a good start. The story is one of the weakest elements here and it shows.