Spaceman: Netflix has just released this new film starring Adam Sandler, Carey Mulligan and Pano Dano. An imporessive cast really. In truth, I am not really an Adam Sandler fan, at least not the silly comedy films that he was known for principally. This is NOT that, as this is far more serious. In summary, this was a movie that was weird, then it got really weird. Assuming you were able to get over that weirdness, then it grounded itself in a bit of a strange way. That likely doesn’t help a reader too much, but ultimately it became a more simple relationship movie, but let’s rewind a little on the initial premise.

The Czech Republic has sent Jakub Prochaka (Sandler) into deep space to explore this phenomenon that has entered the solar system. It is a long mission, and Jakub has been in space about 6 months on his own. He leaves behind a wife, played by Mulligan, and she isn’t very happy about her their relationship. She tries to initiate the longest Dear John in the history of mankind by satellite telephone, but the Space Agency powers that be have not permitted it to be sent. So the silence created between the husband and wife begins to weigh on Jakub. Enter in the weirdness, which I won’t fully describe for fear of spoiling it. Suffice it to say that something unusual happens within the spacecraft, and the audience is left to wonder how it can possibly be. A dialogue begins which one wonders is a symptom of isolation, and the worry of one man being projected into something more tangible. It also may be a necessary movie/plot device to avoid having the solitary astronaut pondering his thoughts alone.

I see aspects of many movies in this, like The Martian, Interstellar, Gravity and 2001: A Space Odyssey. There is even some Cast Away involved here too. All of them are better movies. In many ways, the story of a self-absorbed narcissist with an important job (or with very fixed goals) and a troubled marriage could be told without space at all. He could be a trucker from Green Bay with a wife in Albuquerque on a long haul when all of this goes down. Of course the Interstellar moments wouldn’t necessarily work in that instance (they will be evident when they happen in the last act) but by then it doesn’t matter. The final act does make this more about human connection, but the path to get it there was muddled. Sandler didn’t convince me ultimately in the role since I don’t see him as an astronaut-worthy person in terms of the science and math knowledge that would be required. Mulligan was alright, in a bland sort of way since she didn’t really have a lot to do. The flashbacks were dreamy and all, but much of whether you like this will be in those philosophical discussions with the voice of Paul Dano (who also played in similar voice the Riddler from Robert Pattinson’s The Batman). He has done many quality roles. In any event, I can’t recommend this, as one needs to be really patient and set aside the weird logic that goes in behind it. It is after all NHL playoff season, and there is plenty of hockey to be seen each night.