Moon 2009 ~ Review

I wrote this review back on Apr 10, 2013, on my old “A Constantly Racing Mind” domain. I lost that domain near the end of 2025. So here is a republish. I will probably do an update and a full film analysis of this film.

Moon 2009

What is the real mystery on the moon?

Every now and again, a movie comes along that makes you think, "Moon" is one of them. Not for action-adventure junkies, this film plays out in your mind and heart. Although I wanted to see "Moon," starring Sam Rockwell, for quite some time, I also felt that the pacing of a film starring one person would put me off. Gratefully, the film also stars the Kevin Spacey as the voice of the moon ’s computer, Gerty. "Moon" is a film that is worth watching, if not for Rockwell’s performance, then for the story alone.

The first few minutes of "Moon" introduce us to Lunar Industries through a commercial for the company. The commercial shows that, after suffering from overpopulation, poverty, and disease, Earth was saved by Lunar Industries' discovery of HE3 on the surface of the moon. Lunar Industries operates mining operations on the moon with only one person to watch over the mine's automation. Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) has been alone for the last three years on a moon base located on the far side of the moon and is now in the final weeks of his contract. Hoping to get home to his wife and his three-year-old daughter, Sam can't wait for his contract to end. However, Sam notices that his mind is wandering, and he is starting to hallucinate a young girl sitting at a table in his moon base. Sam burns himself with boiling water. The exchange between Sam and Gerty is reminiscent of Dave and Hal from "2001: A Space Odyssey," leaving one to wonder which one of the two is losing it. During a routine check of one of the mining harvesters, remote-controlled vehicles that wander around the moon processing the rocks for H3, Sam crashes his moon truck into the side of the harvester. Awakening back at the moon base, on a table, safe, with Gerty tending to him, Sam, naturally confused, asks what happened and how long he has been out. Gerty assures him that he was out for only a few hours, asking him if he remembers what happened to him. Sam says he just remembers a crash.

"Moon" doesn't play out at breakneck speed, but at a steady, even pace that keeps you interested. Written and directed by Duncan Jones, the son of David and Angela Bowie, Jones develops Sam Bell quickly through short shots of him as he goes about his business, not spending too much time on the boring activities people do daily. Like Adam Maitland from "Beetlejuice," Sam spends his spare time recreating his hometown in miniature, jogging on a treadmill, and talking to his plants.

spends

Silent Running 1972

At this point, images of 1972's "Silent Running" begin coming to mind. Duncan Jones, aka Zowie Bowie, instead chose a different path and a more intriguing one for the plot of "Moon." Finding himself under unofficial house arrest, Sam catches Gerty talking to Earth in real time, as the satellite has been down for almost three years. Sam, knowing about the satellite, which has been down for the last three years, records and sends his messages to his wife and superiors, believing something is up; or is it? As the plot unfolds, you begin to wonder if Sam is losing his mind, as even he remarks that "my mind has been acting weird lately."

Only an hour and a half long, "Moon" certainly deserves your attention. Sam Rockwell gives an excellent performance and Jones's pacing keeps you interested. The musical score is space, but effective, special effects are minimal, and the story of Sam and his humanity -- compelling. If you enjoy movies that strive for meaning, and film as art, this film is for you. Now that you know what to expect, take some time and watch "Moon," you won't be disappointed.

Time to go home... Rock and Roll... and God Bless America.

Movie Data

Genre:  Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Year:  2009
Staring: Sam Rockwell, Keven Spacey
Director:  Duncan Jones
Producer(s) Stuart Fenegan
Writer(s): Duncan Jones, Nathan Parker
Rating: R