not your typical sci-fi thriller

Rating: 8/10 (12 November 2002)

If you went to this movie expecting a typical sci-fi thriller, you doubtless left disappointed. If you went to this movie to see an M. Shamalayan Night film, you probably loved it, as I did.
For me, the sci-fi aspects were a device to explore the lost faith of the Mel Gibson character, a man who had abandoned the ministry after a tragedy struck his family. The film asks the questions, are we alone in the world (and he's not talking about aliens) and is there such a thing as a coincidence? In one particularly striking scene, as he talks with his brother, Gibson's bitterness comes through.
I happen to think there's a place for spirituality in film and I love Night's take on it. I also like his old-fashioned type of film-making, the way he pays hommage to the greats and the way he surprises us. Night believes we don't listen enough, and if we do, there are messages abounding for us. I'd rather see this than a pretentious, dark, depressing film that pretends to say something.