The Source Code

The Source Code

Let me start by saying that I’m a little biased reviewing this movie.  This movie takes place in my adopted home of Chicago.  I could have spent an enjoyable 2 hours just picking out all the familiar landmarks.  That being said, I still think that ‘The Source Code’ is a very well crafted fast-paced Drama/Science fiction/Action adventure or whatever you want to call it.  It’s just a well made enjoyable movie with all sorts of twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat.

                This is one of those movies where you are confused for a good majority of the film and struggle to understand what is going on.  The movie takes its’ time and strategically reveals to you in subtle clues what is actually happening as it progresses.  The same satisfaction that you get from a well-crafted episode of ‘The Twilight Zone’ or an M Night Shyamalan film , this movie delivers in much the same way.  Your mind is trying to unravel its’ secrets, but the film won’t let you figure it out until it’s good and ready.

SPOILER ALERT:  (most of these can be derived from the TV ads, but half the fun of this movie is having no idea what it is about at the beginning.  Turn away now if you want the full effect)).

                What we are sure of at the very beginning is that the lead character’s name is Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal).  Colter wakes up on a Chicago commuter train across from a woman who is talking to him. Her name is Christina Warren (Michelle Monaghan, lovely in every role she plays).  Colter has never met Christina, but she seems to know him well.  It is even more bizarre that when he sees his own reflection, it is not someone he knows.  In 8 minutes, a bomb planted on the train goes off and, instead of being dead, Colter wakes up to find himself confused and inside a government space-like capsule.  This is where the fun starts.

                We learn that Colter is an army captain and part of a super-secret government project.  It is explained to Colter by Coleen Goodwin, the scientist on the monitor in his capsule (played angelically by Vera Farmiga from ‘Up in the Air’ fame), that the commuter train he was on was the victim of a terrorist bomb.  They were able to harvest one of the victim’s memories and insert Colter’s consciousness into the last 8 minutes of that victim’s memories so that Colter can investigate for clues on who detonated the bomb.  There is urgency as the bomber has broadcasted that this is just a taste before he detonates a dirty bomb in downtown Chicago.  The process for this insertion into a dead person’s remaining consciousness (like the halo around a light bulb after it is turned off it is explained) is known as ‘The Source Code’.  The confusion is that Colter’s last memories were of being in Afghanistan, flying helicopters, two months prior.  He has no idea how he became part of this assignment or even the nature of it.

                Now, I’ m never quite clear on the science of how this works, but this is science fiction and there is the necessity for ‘suspension of disbelief’.  If you can do that, then this is a great ride.  At one point the lead scientist, Dr. Ruteledge (Jeffrey Wright), tries to explain to Colter how The Source Code works, but he trails off.  I wish he would have tried harder to explain it as I’m still trying to figure it out.  All I do know for sure is that each time Colter goes in, he only has 8 minutes to find the clues.  The repetition of events at each attempt could have become monotonous in a lesser Director’s hands, but Duncan Jones (interesting fact: he is the son of David Bowie) does a great job in varying the sequences and seeing different things and perspectives each time.

                The urgency and frustration increase among the scientists as Colter struggles to understand the nature of this reality, while the approaching deadline of the next terrorist bomb looms.  As Colter interacts with the beautiful Christina, their conversations become more poignant and directed as he loses all need for pretense because he knows that no matter what he says, it will be all over in 8 minutes.  How can he be falling in love with her, she is only a memory of someone who died on the commuter train?  The same with other people he interacts with on the train.  They are not nameless number counts from a terrorist bomb on the news.  Each has a life and concerns that they would rethink if they knew they would be dead within the next 8 minutes.  The movie reminds us to value what is truly important and not focus on the passing annoyances of life or to put off what should be said to loved ones when we have the chance.

                I won’t go into anymore of the plot as it truly is a mystery to be unraveled.  I’m biased against watching movies at home on DVD as there are numerous distractions that keep us from becoming fully engrossed.  This movie demands our full attention as we struggle to comprehend all the plot twists and clues to the mystery. While the science may be questionable and confusing, it is a very riveting movie with a Twilight Zone ending that you may or may not piece together before the final scene.  It’s a very well done popcorn movie with the added bonus of taking place in Chicago.

I rate this movie ***1/2 stars