A limited atmosphere where Sam (Rockwell, that is) matters

Rating: 8/10 (1 May 2011)

Astronaut Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) is alone on the moon in a lunar module, save a computer named GERTY voiced by Kevin Spacey. Although we're never quite sure what his mission is, he becomes increasingly less certain about what he's doing there, how long he's been there, and how long he's going to be there. Internal conflicts abound, and "Moon" does an outstanding job of portraying those internal and personal struggles that Sam is experiencing.
It's a small film telling a small story where psychological science fiction meets character study. Rockwell, as always, is larger than life. His progressive disorientation and confusion about time, himself and his mission allow for so much thought and introspection for the viewer. A very welcome addition to the science fiction genre. Sometimes you really can do so much more with less.
"Moon" tried very hard with its intriguing script, and they had a lot of choices to make. As with all films that have so many questions and options, some you won't agree with, some won't get answered at all, and some won't make much sense—at least according to the explanation that you have provided for yourself in your head. But in the atmosphere that "Moon" created, Sam is the only one that matters, and oh, yeah, he does matter.