Solaris (DVD, 2002, Criterion Collection; 2-Disc Set; Widescreen)

Invites comparison at the fictional and meditative level with Tolstoy who, indeed, is mentioned in the film. Impossibly, excruciatingly, invitingly long. Memorable extended sequence of driving deeper and deeper into the heart of traffic and darkness in downtown Tokyo. Not to mention our hero luring the materialized apparition of his dead wife into a rocket then blasting her off into space. Exudes guilt and shame. Not to be missed, particulary if your life needs transforming. And be ready to laugh. Tarkovsky is willing, like most 70's directors, to use zoom, but this only calls attention to itself before captivation sets in. Neither do the peculiar synthesized elements of the score distract. Techno-fiction holds up surprisingly well because it is not emphasized.

coooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooollllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You could watch this film many times and still miss the intricate, expansively nuanced connections between beginning and end. It is a fascinating mobius strip, actually several. Tarkovsky was a genius without equal. The visual political commentary remarkably critical of the Soviet, when they controlled its release. Yet, the generalized themes apply throughout the cosmos. The spiritual overtones throughout the film are why it garnered acclamation from the Vatican when released. The psychological wizardry is infinite, hitting you with Christian crosses in the sand and flashing in your face to appreciate, or deny, yet not overused. The intentionally elongated driving scene tests your attention and demands that you come exactly down to the spiritual realization Tarkovsky intended. You can either insist upon a quick spirited demand of Western Action and claim it boring, or you can let Tarkovsky guide you to the subtlest embrace of metaphysical exploration.

I watched just the beginning again for the seventh time and was shocked I had missed so many visual jokes, or rather hints to the phenomenology woven throughout the film. An English speaker will have to watch at least thrice to acclimate to the spoken Russian, subtitles and constant visual excitements.

This is truly one of the finest films ever made and if you pay attention will bring you to a place of realizing and renewing again what freedom is... many of its dangers and many of its delights.

Conceptually, this is very original stuff. I first viewed the "Clooney" version of SOLARIS & really liked it, so borrowed Lem's English-translation book from the library & read that. Quite a difference between the two, but the basic core concept was almost achieved in the Clooney version, plus it's very stylish and the acting is frankly, superb - his finest, I think. Clooney and Natascha McElhone - can't take your eyes off them!

That then made me want to see Criterion's classic Tarkovsky version, which is considerably closer in structure and content to Lem's book. However, Tarkovsky IS VERY SLOW to develop the story, and the main character - Kelvin (Donatas Banionis) - is devoid of virtually all emotion or expression from beginning to end. Maybe the spoken Russian takes something away here, but I do mean DEVOID. The sets are very dated (obviously) & low budget, but viewing it one-time satisfied my desire (as did one-reading of the book), but I will view Clooney's version again and again.

Criterion's SOLARIS is a worthy view, but only the dedicated may want it for their collection. The book is a definite read and the Clooney DVD is a keeper!