Source Code
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright
Director: Duncan Jones
Rating: 4/5
In the world of showbiz, it’s always hard to follow up a great debut.
Now that’s the un-enviable task of director Duncan Jones (son of David Bowie), who has to follow up 2009’s brilliant sci-fi Moon. Much to his, and movie goers everywhere, delight though, this defiantly isn’t the difficult second album.
Source Code centres on helicopter pilot Colter Stevens (Gyllenhaal) who wakes up on a train to Chicago, in the middle of a conversation with Christina (Monaghan) who keeps calling him ‘Sean’. The only trouble is, Colter has no idea what’s going on, or who Sean is, and eight minutes later, the train bursts into flames.
He’s then told by Army suit Goodwin (Farmiga) and the pragmatic Dr Rutledge (Wright) that he’s in the ‘Source Code’, a computer program that lets him live the last eight minutes of someone else’s life. His mission is to find out who bombed the train, before another goes off in the middle of Chicago.
Seemingly started by Inception, Hollywood is on a joy ride of clever sci-fi flicks, and Source Code lives up to billing easily. This is a fast and thrilling as the express train it takes place on.
So many films try to be what Source Code is, a thriller with great suspense, likeable characters and some moments of genuine humour.
Source Code hits the jackpot though, nailing all three with ease. It’s also refreshingly short. At a brief 93 minutes, Source Code never lets itself slow down, yet still never feels rushed.
All credit has to go to Ben Ripley’s script here, as it manages to explain enormous, complex plot points in a matter of minutes. No mean feat for someone who’s track record is a couple of straight to DVD scripts.
This is all brought together by a great cast doing great work. Gyllenhaal brings his a-game as Stevens, getting back on real form after coasting for the last couple of films.
He’s backed up by the cracking Vera Farmiga and the oh-so-smiley Michelle Monaghan. Add in Jeffrey Wright’s sterling work, and not one of them drops the ball.
It’s also a lovely looking film. Jones’ is never drawn in to silly tricks, but manages to make this film look clean, neat and fresh, much like Moon.
Source Code isn’t perfect though. The main plot line can be, at times a little predictable and the ending goes on for just a couple of minutes too long.
With only a really off-putting opening piece of music to add to that list, Source Code is the best post-Oscar film so far this year.
If Duncan Jones can keep up this head of steam, there’s no knowing where he could end up. It should one hell of a ride though.
Source Code is out now
FemaleFirst Cameron Smith
Tagged in Jake Gyllenhaal