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Solyaris (1972)
Rate:
6
Viewed:
11/19
11/19:
Solyaris, or Solaris, is an interesting but slow Soviet Union movie that attempts to counter the
brilliance of 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Thanks to the large number of B-grade films during the 50's, the sci-fi genre had a long-standing reputation for being
gimmicky, shallow, and technology-oriented in an ugly way, but when the two aforementioned films along with
The Day the Earth Stood Still came along, depths were finally reached
for intellectual discussion about the meaning of life and interaction with outer space.
I honestly lost it during the first forty minutes of Solyaris. That's too long, especially during the car ride
through Akasaka in Tokyo, Japan, because nothing was happening and I grew worried that I would be in for three hours of
boredom. By the time Kris Kelvin took the interstellar trip to investigate a space station, it's when the movie started
to take off.
2001: A Space Odyssey is a cold, mystical picture which is typical of Stanley
Kubrick. On the other hand, Solyaris is about humanity that explores past relationships and regrets. The former
focuses a lot on technology while the latter is unconcerned about it. Unfortunately, Solyaris' attempts to be
philosophical feels futile and dated with lengthy scenes.
The cast has done a good job. Donatas Banionis, the Lithuanian actor who plays Kris Kelvin, is the standout. I can't help
but think of Oliver Reed who could've been instead perfect. Of course, he wasn't fluent in Russian, or would it have
mattered? An annoying acting technique, which occurs early, is the thespians saying their lines and then putting their
heads down constantly.
All in all, although a decent movie, the running time of Solyaris should be halved.