Search - Solaris [Widescreen] on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Content Advisory: Mild Violence, Brief Nudity, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language, Sexual Situations Movie Release: 2002 DVD Release: 07/29/2003 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English, French, Spanish Subtitles: English, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 39 mins Studio: 20th Century Fox Total Copies: 70 Genres: Science Fiction, Marriage Drama, Psychological Sci-Fi See Also: Solaris [Fullscreen]

A therapist travels to a distant space station to treat a group of astronauts traumatized by mysterious entities -- and ends up having to deal with an entity of his own -- in this second film version of Stanislaw Lem's philosophical sci-fi novel. Solaris stars George Clooney as Chris Kelvin, a psychologist still mourning the loss of his wife Rheya (Natascha McElhone) when he's implored by a colleague named Gibarian (Ulrich Tukur) to investigate the increasingly weird goings-on at the Prometheus space station. By the time Kelvin gets there, Gibarian has committed suicide, leaving only the cryptic, babbling Snow (Jeremy Davies) and the paranoid, guarded Gordon (Viola Davis), both of whom are holed up in their respective rooms. As Kelvin interrogates the skeleton crew, he learns that they've had unwanted "visitors," apparitions of long-dead friends, family, and loved ones who are apparently being generated by the interstellar energy source Solaris. The doctor is dubious of their claims until one night he, too, is greeted by his wife Rheya (Natascha McElhone), whose death still torments him. At first skeptical of the new Rheya, Kelvin gradually becomes obsessed with her -- and with the guilt that he feels over their troubled marriage -- to the point where the others begin to fear for his sanity. Produced by James Cameron, Solaris represented director Steven Soderbergh's first screenplay credit since the independently financed Schizopolis in 1996. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide

George Clooney - Dr. Chris Kelvin
Natascha McElhone - Rheya
Jeremy Davies - Snow
Viola Davis - Dr. Helen Gordon

Previously adapted for the screen by legendary Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky, Stanislaw Lem's philosophical sci-fi mind-trip gets a reworking by director Steven Soderbergh and arrives on DVD courtesy of 20th Century Fox. Presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, the cool blue hues of the space station are rich and deep, with earthbound scenes offering a seductively organic and effectively warm contrast. Much of this film is fairly dark, with solid blacks and near-perfect skin tones making for a beautiful presentation. Additionally, the 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround audio track makes good use of the minimal audio scheme of the film as well as composer Cliff Martinez's rich but restrained score. A commentary track featuring both director Soderbergh and producer James Cameron proves both enticing with its tales of what was left on the cutting room floor, and frustrating for fans of the film who would have liked to have seen more. The two seem to respect one another's visions even if those visions aren't always on the same wavelength, and their easy rapport makes for an interesting listen as they discuss some of the more philosophical angles of the story and their impressions of the final product. Likewise, an HBO making-of special and a featurette entitled "Solaris: Behind the Planet" offer interesting perspectives on the production, as well as providing a tantalizing glimpse of what might have been. Viewers with a fondness for the written word can view the screenplay. And a theatrical teaser and trailer round things out nicely. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide