Director Duncan Jones‘ Moon (2009) was deliciously complex and intense. Source Code might be even better.- Largely because the cast is outstanding. Jake Gyllenhaal (Captain Colton Stephens) is a multi-faceted actor with remarkable range, but this could be his best performance. He gives the film gravitas and charisma.
- Insofar as both layer their characters well, making it seem the women are better developed than they actually are, Michelle Monaghan (Christina Warren) and Vera Farmiga (Colleen Goodwin) shine almost as brightly.
- Yet, Source Code’s scene stealer is Jeffrey Wright (Dr. Rutledge), who makes his borderline corrupt politican feel human, an accomplishment that is all the more remarkable given the exposition-heavy dialogue with which writer Ben Ripley saddles him.
- The cast is not Source Code’s only strength. Ripley and Jones have keen emotional acuity. Though their film is plot-based, they develop their characters well and thereby create empathy.
- Plus, they build tension and time information-reveals perfectly.
- From a technical perspective, Source Code is excellent. Jones channels his inner Alfred Hitchcock, building suspense through editing, camera angles and sound design.
- Moreover, the writer and director skillfully differentiate each of the eight minute sequences aboard a doomed train. This is the science fiction version of Groundhog Day (1993), a fact that risks repetitiveness, all the more so because there is so little humor. Source Code maintains interest, however, if only because secondary characters behave differently based on Captain Stephens’ actions, something that ensures each scene’s events are unique.
- Narratively, the film isn’t quite perfect, though, mostly because the resolution is underexplained. Why do Stephens’ final actions work the way they do? We cannot answer that question.
- All the same, I recommend this film without reservation. It is quite exceptional.
- Final Grade: A-
Don’t remember hearing much of this at the time. I saw Jake in October Sky and being impressed with him. Looks a good supporting cast too.
I don’t remember hearing much either, but I have seen a few reviews around the blogaverse. All of them have been positive, so I finally gave it a watch. And I’m glad I did. This is superb.
Not least because, as you say, the cast is fantastic.
I really need to see this. I know I will love it. Fairly big sci-fi fan, and Gyllenhaal is one of our generation’s best actors.
Gyllenhaal is terrific in everything, but even better here. Only his turn in Brokeback rivals this one, I think.
And I definitely suggest you see this one. Certainly seems like your sort of movie. 🙂
I had a few problems with this one (I think the main one is that I didn’t enjoy Jeffrey Wright’s performance anywhere near as much as you!) but enjoyed it overall and I think you’ve made some good points above; it’s certainly a very well-constructed thriller. Of the two of his films to date I preferred Moon, as I liked the subtlety and the design that echoed older sci-fi films, but this was gripping at times.
What didn’t you like about Wright’s performance?
And I would never disparage anyone for liking Moon more. I might, too, actually (the fact that I gave Source Code a higher grade is not necessarily indicative of my personal preference). Moon is a dynamite flick, too.
Ah…in all honesty it’s hard for me to say why! I saw it three years ago in the cinema, but when I read your review I remembered that I didn’t enjoy his performance.
I noticed that Jones is working on the ‘Warcraft’ movie. Having never played I’m not sure whether I’ll like that or not. It’s possible his next film after that will be 2017 or 2018, which is a long wait!
I saw that, too, on IMDB. I don’t play either. But I’ll reserve judgement on whether or not a film adaptation can work (seems unlikely).
I remember this! I liked it too!
I’m glad. It’s pretty awesome.
Nyc report, better give a link to download and nyc theme ……
Thank you!
Nyc review dude! No, but seriously nice review! You are another person giving Source Code a rave review and making me want to finally see it. Being a fan of Jake and all, it surprises me that I have made no effort to see this! I MUSTTTTTT!!!!
You must. It is terrific! And seems like the sort of thing you’d enjoy.
For some reason I never warmed up to Jake Gyllenhaal, tho he was good in October Sky. He was good here tho but largely the film works because of Duncan’s direction. Vera Farmiga is also excellent, as always. Glad you mentioned Michelle Monaghan too as she seems quite underrated.
I think both Farmiga and Monaghan are underrated, but especially the latter. And never warmed up to Gyllenhaal? Why not?
Not sure why, some things just can’t be explained. But perhaps if I see more of his work I might like him more. For sure I can stand him more than Gosling, ha..ha..
🙂
Though I actually like Gosling, too.
Duncan Jones is rather a talent isn’t he?
He certainly is. Hopefully he keeps it going with his next feature, what that is.
I loved Moon but found this a distinct disappointment. There were some good ideas, but the emotional arc didn’t really work when you thought about it too much (and this is the kind of film that encourages you to do just that) and the motivations/identity of the terrorist was generic and uninteresting. Not a terrible film, but not something I’m keen to watch again. Good review, even if I disagree 🙂
Yeah. We clearly had different experiences with this one. I don’t much like how it ends, but I thought everything else worked very well.
I’m a sucker for time travel in general so it’s no surprise I really enjoyed this one. I haven’t seen it in a while but I do seem to remember I had a problem with the ending (perhaps similar to your thoughts about it not working logically).
I think time travel is a hit or miss subject – here Jones crushes it. Until the very end, that is.
I actually never saw this and I have been meaning to! You want to know why I haven’t at my last job we used to have to code advertisement links and I used to create “source codes.” I swear that alone made me not want to see it ! LOL. I am also a Gyllenhaal fan so I am mad at myself for not having seen this yet. Good review as always.
Thank you. And that’s a better reason for not seeing this than I had for the last few years. Who can argue with ‘I don’t want to be reminded of work when I’m watching a movie’?
Exactly!!! LOL
It’s been awhile since I’ve seen this one, but I remember being pleased and surprised by how well done it was. Makes me want to sit down for another view! Glad you seem to have enjoyed it as well. 🙂
Definitely enjoyed. Jones is a darn promising filmmaker. Hopefully he keeps it going with his future projects.
This movie is a blast. I like Duncan Jones quite a bit too. Good job!
Thanks! And his first two have been really good. Hopefully he keeps it going with future projects.
Agreed. Warcraft looks very interesting.
WELL, I’ve not see Moon nor Source Code or know anything about Duncan Moon. Thanks for the head’s up. I shall queue it to the top on Netflix. Great! I need a good thriller. Excellent review, Josh 🙂
Thanks. I think you’d like both of Jones’ movies. But I think you’ll enjoy Moon even more. Sam Rockwell is stunning in it.