Source Code (2011)

Rating: 6/10 (14 July 2011)

"Sir, I need to give him something..."
This is the story of a US Air Force Captain who is sent back in time to prevent a terrorist attack. The movie that follows the story has interesting direction, a script that could have been better, good actors and great special effects.
This is the second film by Duncan Jones, the director of "Moon", a small budget project with a great story and cast which explores the difficulties of being alone in the world... err... moon. His second movie is placed in a much more populated setting, but still very limited. The entire action takes place on board a train and in some undisclosed other facility.
From a technical point of view, the movie presented two main challenges: how to make the story and the sets not look linear and unidimensional, first, and how to induce the sensation of confusion and insecurity, second. Both problems have interesting solutions, the second one being particularly well done, with the opening sequences of the movie plunging the viewers into a very confusing environment, where they are not quite sure of what they are seeing. The angles are strange, either vertical, filmed from above straight down or very horizontal, flat and distant. It does not make sense and it is brilliant. The solution to the first problem is also very creative.
The script is quite complicated, and it has some problems, the techobabble being one of them. It is confusing and not very convincing, but it could have worked well. There are other problems, however with the way the drama unfolds, layer by layer. The layered approach has been used before and done better. "Ogres are like onions." "You smell bad? You make people cry?" "Layers, Donkey, ogres have layers." Unfortunately there are far bigger problems and one of them is the current state of the main character. It is totally uncalled for, it is a very weak and soap opera like device to introduce an unnecessary emotional charge, and it negates much more interesting possibilities and development opportunities. It also leads to a very bad ending. On the positive side, the script is very good at creating tension and drama.
The actors are good, with a strong emotional presence. Jake Gyllenhaal is very intense, Vera Farmiga is also intense, in a subtler, quieter way and Michelle Monaghan provides an welcomed balance to all this intensity, by being nice and relaxed.
The special effects are excellent and very unexpected, with a very effective timing.
Source Code. A good thriller, if not for some script incongruities and an unnecessary ending. 6/10.