Simply exceptional

Rating: 9/10 (6 January 2013)

Having a slight (huge) obsession with space, I can't believe I hadn't heard of this film until browsing the movie store about a year ago -catching my eye because of Sam Rockwell.
It is now on my 'never be the same again after watching this' list.
Watching it home alone on a rainy dark afternoon, I experienced the full impact of the designed purpose of this film: to really FEEL the crushing yet silent extent of isolation and disconnection drowning Sam Bell. It was absolutely haunting. The sole location of storytelling being the Moon is pivotal for succeeding this, and seeing Sam exist only either surrounded by airtight walls, airtight vehicles or airtight suits brings an overwhelming feeling of sadness and a heightened awareness of your own surroundings. A short 5 second dream sequence Sam has, shows the camera sweep over the sleeping, peaceful forms of him and his wife, before zooming under the bed sheets to a distraught looking Sam clutching at, trying to grab hold of the bodies of himself and his love is truly one of soul piercing moments that depicts this.
Sam Rockwell is sensational as Sam Bell, his performance is so effortless and kept me never knowing how he was going to behave with each new revelation. The first event of the film which sets things in motion is very intelligent and you are left with the feeling that something is not right, which progresses to what the hell is going on, before reaching - Oh My Dear Space Nuggets! And keeps you reeling until the final few and tense moments of the film. Sam makes you laugh and relate to, yet specific scenes at differing intervals will form a horrible lump in your throat and have you quietly sobbing thanks to the execution of Rockwell's impeccable timing and ability, particularly after the discovery of a certain hidden area of his moon base. Gerty, the Robot on base voiced by Kevin Spacey is amazing, having you wondering at times if his intent of 'I want to help you' is really what it seems. Yet even this mechanical character will bring on a tear or two toward the finish.
The visual effects are strangely realistic, which really makes this harder ( in a good way) to experience as it is quite confronting. This film has no heavy action, fancy space guns, or otherworldly sinister beings, but is in many ways more satisfying - rather than having you fear what is out in the entities of space, it has you afraid of the doings of a place you call home.