"Cast Away" in space

Rating: 9/10 (15 April 2010)

Moon is one of those rare films that has the ability to captivate you all the way to the end if you let it. The movie is a touching story and a journey through the loneliness of Sam Bell. I don't want to leave any spoilers here so I'll continue on with what I think.
Sam Rockwell puts on the performance of a lifetime as Sam Bell and showcases why he may be one of the better actors of our time. The film draws comparisons to 2001: A Space Odyssey but I think Moon can be compared to a more modern list of films such as: Sunshine, The Fountain, and Cast Away.
Not a lot of actors can carry a film by themselves and it takes a gifted one to do that. When you watch the movie, you can really understand just how alone Sam Bell really is. We've all been lonely at one point in our lives but it's very rare to see that emotion from a third-person view like you can with a movie like Moon. There's a familiar voice in a supporting role throughout the film and that is Kevin Spacey voicing the robot known as GERTY. GERTY remains loyal to Sam Bell during the entire film's running time and mid-way through, you nearly forget it's Spacey's voice and for me, there was an eerie feeling each time I heard him speak. It is familiar, pleasant, comforting, yet sad.
For a low budget film, the special effects are kept at a minimum but, when you see them in it's entirety, they are exceptional. There is a specific scene in Moon that most refer to as the "long distance phone call" and this is arguably the most powerful scene of the film. Without giving up too many details, there is however a single shot of Sam on the moon while you get a glance of the sun and then planet Earth from a distance. It is beautiful shots like these that truly define a movie.
Hollywood is currently missing films with stellar acting and story telling and Moon is a very unique film in that department with the potential to stick with viewers for some time afterward. For those who crave action and/or loads of CGI, check out something else. This is good old-fashioned Science-Fiction at it's best. Your loyalty as a movie watcher may be challenged but by the film's end, it's safe to assume that Moon is an experience -- a visual journey of pure loneliness that begs the final question, "Is there anything more lonely than handling a specific duty while being an outcast 238,855 miles from your home planet on a rock known as the 'Moon'?" I can honestly tell you that I felt all the loneliness the film tried to show me. And that's the whole purpose behind it. I really felt that that was the plot, the milieu if you will -- the mission as a whole and for me, it succeeded at that.
Overall, I give "Moon" a 9 out of 10 because nothing is perfect in my book. I highly recommend this movie to classic Science-Fiction fans and those who enjoy Drama. For those who appreciate story telling along with the superb acting of an underrated actor such as Sam Rockwell, I urge you to see this movie.