Wow, where to start.....

This is one of those movies that has so many layers to it's story, that all pieces together finely to make one, great piece of film making. Now I'm no expert reviewer, or even amateur scientist, but I'll do my best to explain this one.

Isaac Bruno is a scientist obsessed with finding a new planet, with the potential to harbour life, around distant stars. But he's a troubled man, having to deal with a very recent loss in his life, which greatly affects his work and career. Enter Clara, who agrees to be his unpaid research assistant, but has a very unscientific way of explaining her view of the universe. Together, when new data is released following the launch of a new space telescope, they attempt to find the elusive planet, whilst helping each other to deal with more earthly problems.

The relationship side of the story between Bruno and Clara, never becomes boring. The characters are so well played by the two lead actors, that you actually end up caring for their lives and situations, something that is rarely achieved in many movies nowadays. And their story is so well intertwined with the main plot.

The science behind the planet searching is explained in a way that doesn't treat you like an idiot (even one like me!!),so even those not used to this kind of movie should at least grasp the basics, and it certainly doesn't distract ones attention from the story.

We seem to be bombarded nowadays with so many sci-fi movies about alien invasions and superhero daring do, that movies like this seem to get lost in the ether. Indeed I don't remember this movie getting a cinematic release in the UK (but I could be wrong there). And that's a real shame because this is probably (in my opinion),one of the best "thinking mans" sci-fi movies out there.

If movies like Aliens, Independence Day or Predator, are your thing, then you will want to avoid this one. If, however you prefer the likes of Contact, 2001 etc, then this movie is an absolute must.

Mind meets heart. You could argue that one is better than the other. And that might be true for certain things - for other things maybe not so much. One thing is sure: they work best together. If you find the balance ... you win - even if you lose. Although lose may be too big a word. And win may not be exactly right.

We have a love story here - but also a story of two individuals who try to prove something. Mostly to others - at least it appears so. Because actually they try to prove something to themselves. And both alone cannot achieve that - but together: they actually can.

Some really fine dialog here and some really heartbreaking dramatic moments too. Central performances are more than decent and the movie has some other ideas to share with you too. For some it may be a bit too much (it could have focused on one thing, like the science part or the love part),but I think it does walk the line quite nicely. And maybe you can believe too ... if you suspend your disbelief that is.

Patrick J. Adams abandons his suit for this somewhat ponderous sci-fi yarn about an obsessive astronomer who, recovering from some fairly grim personal trauma, alights on the young "Clara" (Troian Bellisario) and together they set about trying to prove, scientifically, that life exists elsewhere in the universe. Meantime, the two gradually grow closer, we discover the nature of his emotional problems, and his ex-wife gets them access to a telescope that might just prove their theory. Unfortunately, right down to Jonathan Kawchuk's pretty soporific score, this is just too much of a slow burn. The story develops glacially and unremarkably, and though there is a twist at the end that causes you to rethink just whom "Clara" is, and that perhaps there are people looking for us too - it all just came a little too late for my interest to stay piqued. The production is adequate but that's maybe the best word I can think of to describe the whole thing - adequate.