The Silent Planet

This film is cerebral and character-driven, which is a type of sci-fi I like if I'm in the mood. Think Solaris or Moon. It's about solitude, memory and the all-too-human desire for revenge. It's interesting to see veteran actor Elias Koteas work with the much younger Briana Middleton, who totally holds her own playing opposite him.

It has issues though. The narrative is a bit muddled, leaving several things unexplained. The ending doesn't have the emotional impact it might have done. Also the flashbacks to Earth feel less realistic than the depiction of the prison planet. This was possibly the director's intention, though I found myself wanting to get back to the planet every time a flashback came along.

Overall I enjoyed the film's mournful, downbeat tone.

Always like to watch sci-fi movies and the carghters in them and I enjoy weardnes on movies. How ever during day watching this is more like to make you sleepy than interested. The actors seemed to take from naborhoods crampa who potris serial killer and some eruopean looking everyday girl as murderer. As movie potraied their crimes you have to think how bad actor selecting this movie has. If you manage trough the movie awake, the ending does not make you moved in to any direction. Theres was oddities like goverment giving drugs to griminals on far distant planet but hey sci-fi. The criminal activites seemed some what made in must do and ating is not that great. Well there were lot possible to do in this idea arena, but most were not used and the result was lacking interest.

The only reason I watched this movie was because Elias Koteas was in it. Eveything else was confusing. Hardly any dialogue other than computer generated. The scenery was very nice, but the special effects were basic. I had to use my imagination to figure what this movie was about. I think it had to do with two inmates who were sent to another planet to do some mining. I think. Strange movie. If there were only two people on a deserted planet, I think they should be friendlier. Especially the female character. So many missing pieces to this movie. The only good thing about this movie is that Elias Koteas was in it.

Its not that it is bad, but there is so little surprise or interest or statements to justify a 90 minute run time. It is more like a 15 minute short story stretched out, but that wouldn't work as the characters need space to deliver whatever this is.

Admittedly I watched all of it and was not bored, so the actors were solid and managed to carry the film, but they had so little to work with,

The Scifi element is very minor just enough to create the situation. It is not about special effects, though the aliens did make me laugh, as it was a flashback I am not sure if they are supposed to be symbolic or an actual experience.

And am not even sure what the film is trying to say, I suppose it is a character driven exploration of relationships.

I have this thing where I want to like Canadian movies, because, well... yea, we CAN make great movies. But I'll be really honest that I don't see a point in watching this movie.

Actors - good job.

Visually very nice - nice effects, nice lights, some cool visuals, and that nice Labrador nature.

The plot - okay, so the scriptwriter liked Solaris and wanted to make something similar. Fair enough, but... Maybe a bit more originality would have been nice?

So you have a low budget, you get few characters... here, their backstories are just so unoriginal. Been seen a million times. The only aspect I liked was - but this might just be my own interpretation, looking for something good - the idea of peoples' identities and thoughts mixing in "the alien fog". It could have been developed way more, and exploited way better.

In general this movie just lacks originality, plot, zest, character motivation... what the characters do felt, at every corner, not as actual character buildup, but some "I need the character to do this just to have more plot. It could have had less "play-action", and just more thought, more atmosphere. The play-action, lame action, just ruined the atmosphere, and made the characters bland.

All in all... even with the whole crew having done a good job, I just don't see any reason for this movie.