The remake of Andrei Tarkovsky's 1972 film, while at least an hour shorter, still moves at a somber pace. This is a love story set in space, about a man who has a chance to reunite with his dead wife. It's interesting that the film never mentions the word "alien"; while the reincarnations (if that's what you can even call them) are certainly not human, they...well..I imagine they are human. They possess no foreign abilities, and the only thing odd about them is they were created by Solaris itself. Tangible, corporeal bodies brought to life by the deep inner workings of the subconscious. Once alive they possess conscience and free will, yet they are unable to determine where they came from, or why they came at all. Their existential confusion clouds their minds, but certainly they do exist. Right?
Soderbergh's film finds questions within the human condition that astronauts cannot explain. Perhaps they cannot explain it because they have sought for answers elsewhere in space, rather than within. Chris Kelvin stares in disbelief at his wife, for death no longer exists. Captain Gordon fears the "others" totally and completely, refusing to bring them back to Earth. And then there's Snow, whose confusion is well-warranted.
I understand Kelvin's desire to be with his wife again, to make amends and feel her against him, he warmth against his warmth.
In the cold bowels of space, two lovers reunite. The ending of the film is tragic, yet haunting. But lovers will find a way, no matter how foolish or desperate. "For in that sleep of death, what dreams may come".
