REVIEW: Little wrong with ‘Source Code’
If you would have asked me six months ago if I thought films made in the 21st century were original, I would have said no. However, fresh ideas have come to screen recently, and “Source Code” is one of them.
“Source Code,” starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Monaghan (Eagle Eye, Made of Honor), is mind-boggling, intricate and remarkable. Colter Stevens (Gyllenhaal) is a soldier who wakes up on a train in another man’s body, confused as to how he got there. He is assigned to a special mission for the government inside what is called the source code.
The program allows a person to cross over into another’s identity for the last eight minutes of his life. Stevens’ mission is to find the bomber of the train in order to prevent a more massive bombing in Chicago. He relives the bombing over and over until he solves the mystery and finds who’s responsible. While in the Source Code, Stevens meets Christina Warren (Monaghan). After all, what is a movie with out a little romance?
Though a hint of romance is most definitely included in “Source Code,” it is neither the main theme nor the first priority of the film. Many are familiar with director Duncan Jones from his 2009 project, “Moon.” Many were also expecting that same feel and positive feedback as “Moon,” and those same people might feel disappointed with “Source Code” in comparison.
For me it was the opposite. “Moon” is a science fiction thriller where as “Source Code” is a thriller with just a hint of sci-fi. It is like comparing apples and grapes. They are under the same category, both being fruit and coming in more than one color, but taste rather differently and therefore, should be judged differently.
Gyllenhaal has really stepped up to the plate and proved to be an adequate actor in the role of Colter Stevens. He found a perfect balance between perplexity, frustration and poignancy. Juggling emotions that appear to be real can be difficult to exhibit on screen but Gyllenhaal lacked any such struggle for brilliance and really delivered.
Viewers can not help but sympathize for the muddled soldier and Gyllenhaal is to blame. He was never that actor that stood out to me like Leonardo DiCaprio or Johnny Depp or even Brad Pitt. You just do not hear Jake Gyllenhaal’s name uttered on the streets everyday opposed to the ones who have been around much longer. When you did hear his name, his movies were lost in the back of the mind. However, when Jake Gyllenhall’s name is called again, people will ask “Which movie was he in again?” and “Source Code” will be at the tip of their tongues and edge of their brains. Way to go Jake!
Michelle Monaghan, with her few lines, was excellent as well. Her character, Christina, was a confident, beautiful and sophisticated woman. Monaghan perfectly depicted Christina when she was concerned, calm, playful and just plain kind.
While watching her role develop, I could not help but think that Monaghan was like that in person. She has a simple elegance to her, exuded through Christina. I have no negative note for Monaghan.
Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air, The Departed) played Steven’s commanding officer in the source code program, Colleen Goodwin. At first, Goodwin appeared to be an objective officer with no personal ties to Stevens. She was just doing her job.
Over time, Goodwin feels sympathy for Stevens and tries to help him more fully understand his situation and duties. In those times when her character felt apprehension in a small predicament, Farmiga effectively represented Goodwin. I have to say that the cast in its entirety was chosen well.
With all this positive feedback you may ask, “So, what is wrong with it?” That is just it; there is very little wrong with it. However, “Source Code” was predictable. My favorite movies and books are usually ones that I cannot predict, like “Fight Club.”
Another negative is that it is hard to decipher, but this is not much of a problem; I like puzzles but because I thoroughly enjoyed it I have to be nit-picky.
A program called Source Code does not exist in our world. Therefore it is hard to grasp an idea of something so far beyond common knowledge. It is like thinking of how little we are compared to the rest of the universe. It hurts my brain and so does “Source Code,” but it is and will be near the top of the list of movies in 2011.
Anike Pullens is a junior majoring in public relations and minoring in sign language. She enjoys movies any day of the week of any genre. Anike can be contacted at Anike.pullens@aggiemail.usu.edu