I so wanted to like this movie, but I just don’t. The vague plot wanders around and is as lost as its main character played by Brad Pitt. The story has been compared to Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, and its best known movie interpretation Apocolypse Now, which has been rereleased in theatres recently as the Final Edit. Frankly, it is a much better film if you are looking for an individual diving into self exploration. Director Gray has said he wanted to make the most realistic movie about space ever made, and I am not sure he hit that target unless his interpretation of Realistic is dull and with a strong plot or reason for being there. Each of the actors does a good job, and the visuals are top notch, but it is the underlying story that is not present in the movie as it is presented. I have to wonder if it is the editing, writing or direction that is the cause, but either way, Mr. Gray is responsible for at least 2 of the three and presumably he oversaw the editing as well.
Ultimatly I spent the entire film waiting for something to happen and for some explanation for the characters behavior. In this cinematic world, who is in charge, what is this space force that sends Roy McBride off to find his father, and is that realistic. How is H. Clifford McBride still alive, but not in contact with earth for years? None of this is really answered well, and the trip Roy takes to get to Neptune to find his father is laced with unbelievable plot devices that fit better in a Marvel comic book movie than in a movie attempting to present a realistic depiction of space travel, and I didn’t even mention the space pirates.
Staring
Brad Pitt - Roy McBride
Tommy Lee Jones - H. Clifford McBride
Donald Southerland - Colonel Pruitt
Liv Tyler - Eve McBride
Directed
James Gray
Written
James Gray & Ethan Gross