Moon

Duncan Jones, son of David Bowie, has assumed a few monikers over the years and so for his directorial debut, Moon, it’s hardly surprising that we have a tale revolving around confused identities. In the film Sam Rockwell stars as Sam Bell, an employee of Lunar Industries who is nearing the end of a three year mining shift on the moon. However, as he prepares to return to earth to be with his wife and daughter, Bell begins to suffer hallucinations. Then, following an industrial accident, Bell makes a startling discovery which hints that his life and job are not all they are made out to be. To say anything further would spoil the remainder of the film. As Bell, Rockwell gives an understated but assured performance as things slowly start to unravel (on seeing the twist you’ll understand why Jones needed it to be understated as well). The film does move sluggishly at times, but not Tarkovsky tempo, and anyway, who’s in a rush on the moon? The specials effects are decent, with miniatures and models being preferred to dodgy F/X and though Kevin Spacey as the voice of the moonbase’s computer is a bit surreal, it’s refreshing to have a computer / robot in a Sci-fi film that isn’t on the rampage for once. Overall, this is a tidy package. It may be confusing at points, but the explanations do eventually come, and anyway, where’s the harm in a film that actually makes you think for once?

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
A slow pace may put some people off, but this is a thoughtful and at times moving film which will demand a repeat viewing in order to spot the subtle nuances of Sams situation, possibly missed first time round. Rating: 7/10.