Moon is Duncan Jones' homage to the science fiction classic, Silent Running. Sam Rockwell plays Sam Bell, a blue collar worker alone on the moon harvesting a new form of fuel called Helium-3. Sam is very close to concluding his contract when he gets into an accident. Sam wakes up later with no memory of the accident, but later finds another Sam amongst the rubble. Now the two separate Sams, with 3 years difference in age, try to piece together the mystery surrounding their meeting.
Duncan Jones' directorial debut is incredibly strong. He weaves a mysterious and desperate story about the dangers of technology and the amoral business practices that follow them, as well as heartfelt injections of the human spirit. In a time where "science fiction" elicits images of caped crusaders and aliens with laser beams, Moon returns to sci-fi's roots depicting scientific advancement and challenges as well as exploring the consequences of doing so. He captures a dynamic setting within the muted corridors of an empty space station surrounded by miles and miles of barren rocky terrain. The already well displayed isolation and depression is multiplied by the somber, haunting score. Plus Jones cast Sam Rockwell.
Sam Rockwell is without a doubt the most underappreciated acting talent in Hollywood today. With his turns as a comic relief spaceman in Galaxy Quest, a likeable killer in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, or a love-lost father and husband in Snow Angels, Rockwell has solidified himself as one of the finest actors of his generation. His character, Sam Bell, is just another fine performance in an already impressive resume. Rockwell has more screen presence and charisma to turn even the lowliest character into a likeable guy. Some of the work is already done for him as the material depicts Sam as an every man. As such Sam ventures through a number of emotions most of which is either anger or depression, all of which Rockwell invites the audience to feel the same way. Practically the only actor in the movie, the emotional weight rest assuredly on his shoulders. Rockwell also of course plays two variations of the same character who interact with each other. That alone is a difficult thing for actors to do, yet Rockwell performs admirably going above and beyond all expectations.
Moon has all the makings of a science fiction classic. Its eerie, depressing score paces the movie perfectly. New advance technology is in abundance, yet Sam Bell's blue collar sensibilities keep the story grounded and relatable. The evils of big business sneak around every corner. So why is the best movie of 2009, and the best sci-fi of the decade being snubbed this award season? Sam Rockwell at the very least deserves to be at the top of everyone's Best Actor lists.
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