I’m Trevor with the Sasquatch Movie Minute with a look at PROJECT HAIL MARY, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, starring Ryan Gosling. To save mankind, a scientist must travel alone through space to solve the mystery of what is killing Earth’s sun and along the way, he makes an unlikely friend.

 

4 out of 5

 

What a delightful film; funny, though-provoking, hopeful. This movie made me think about humor in our lives; about how it can often be used to deflect. But also how it can be a way to open up, to sneak past an emotional wall and deal with fear and trauma in a healthy manner. How beautifully human. The movie does get long, and I was a little confused by the flashback/memory structure and how it undercuts a key late revelation about Gosling’s character. I think a lot of the faults lie with the book structure grafting onto film language. But look, they get the main parts right here; they nail Rocky and they nail the ending. This film is a warm hug, with tears and laughs a plenty.

 

Best Scene. After a sharp first hour of humor and discovery, the Astrophage collection scene switched gears and really tapped into the awe; the power and weirdness and wonder of being light years from home, in a tin can spaceship. The moment comes suddenly and its power really knocks you back for a sec and opens your mind to the enormity of the cosmos.

 

Best Performance. I enjoyed Sandra Huller as the project manager in the flashbacks, but this is the Ryan Gosling show and he more than delivers. I loved that his performance folded in so many of his others; from the goofing of NICE GUYS, to the melancholy of LA LA LAND, to the weary teacher of HALF NELSON. As for Rocky, wow, well done everyone, just a perfect marriage of voice/design/puppetry.

 

See it now, see it big, with an open heart.