Spaceman is a scifi drama based on the 2017 novel Spaceman of Bohemia about a solo Czech astronaut Jakob(Adam Sadler) who is sent to investigate a mysterious cloud around Jupiter. Increasingly isolated Jakob reflects on his failing marriage with Lenka(Carey Mulligan) and is inexplicably visited by an alien creature he names Hanuš(Paul Dano).
As always its nice to see Sandler in this kind of register. Grounded, emotional, with the same open vulnerability he brings to both his dramatic and comedic roles. Its a lot to ask of him here as he never has any actual scene partners and he thrives in the company of actual humans, he does a good job but can't quite carry it to the finish line. This is partly the fault of the script which at times languishes and becomes repetitive. Mulligan gives a great performance but its more pastiche, more montage, than actual scene work as she is mostly shown through fragmentary flashbacks. Dano's vocal performance has depth but not a lot of variation.
The production is very effective, very vivid, but perhaps overly dark and gloomy furthering the already dark and gloomy story and dark and gloomy lead performance. At times it is a bit much, a bit oppressive. Which is perhaps the intent, regardless the result is too much sameness not enough variety. It is kind of a plodding trudge which becomes slightly numbing as the film progresses due to this lack of change in pacing or tone. It is transportive and the themes it grapples with are intriguing but it is not well rounded, it does not feel complete.
Ambitious and commendable if not quite successful.
Currently streaming on Netflix.
Rent It.
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