Jake Gyllenhaal portrays a soldier named Colter Stevens, recruited for a time-bending government investigation that places him in another man's mind and body, reliving the same traumatic event repeatedly in an effort to identify the perpetrators of a terrorist bombing. Vera Farmiga plays a communications specialist who provides the vital link to the soldier's primary reality as he searches for critical clues within a recurring nightmare.
To say Source Code is ambitious would be a big understatement. It is a film that completely shits on Hollywood and essentially creates its own rules. It is a risky move to fight against normativity, but as 2010 showed tremendously, an audience will show up to see your film if you create something worth seeing. I can tell you that while Source Code didn’t meet my expectations, it was still a great film that all movie goers should end up watching. Its originality alone should be enough for your time.
The film starts off with Colter Stevens being placed in another man’s body aboard a train he has no recollection boarding sitting next to a woman who knows him, but he has never seen before. After eight minutes pass, the train unexpectedly blows up. He then awakens in a metal capsule of some sort. A woman shows up on screen prompting him to find the bomber and sends him back onto the train. He finds out that he is in a program called Source Code that allows somebody to re-live the last eight minutes of someone’s life. He cannot prevent what happens, but he can figure out vital information about the situation. In this case, it is figuring out who planted the bomb so they can apprehend him before he can set off another one. It is not confusing as it reads. Watching the film makes it quite easier to follow. One might think going back into the past eight minutes over and over again might get repetitive but even though the larger picture is the same, little things in the scenes change, making it a new experience every time.
It sort of makes me laugh though thinking back, finding the bomber was the least exciting section of the film. The best part is learning about this program, Source Code, and it’s very first recruit Colter Stevens. The program will have science fiction fans geeking up because it is a really wicked device that never fully reveals its functions right up until the end. Pairing it up with Stevens makes it even better. He is a intriguing character who along with the audience tries to figure out how he got into the program and where he is. Watching him put the puzzle pieces together allows us to work it out with him. They reveal a crucial part about him too soon I felt, but once the film ends, it makes more sense why they worked it out that way. Jake Gyllenhaal finally makes up for his last four failed attempts in a big way. He truly turns in a wonderful performance that should not be overshadowed by the story. Without him, the story is mute.
His supporting cast turned in some well-balanced acts as well. Michelle Monaghan continues to choose well-mannered roles that prove she is more than just a pretty face and Vera Farmiga makes what should be a forgettable role into one filled with care and emotion. She stood out in a wonderful cast. The only one who just did not have it going was Jeffrey Wright; his dialogue was completely predictable coming from the guy who made the program and was a straight up dick. It’s hard to like that type of character sometimes.
Talking about the plot and the characters, the breaking point for everyone who watches it will be its third act. For some it will turn the movie in greatness territory while others may feel cheated or confused. Much like Inception, I feel the story ended ambiguously. I have already thought of both ways to interpret the ending, and the one I am leaning towards makes more sense and for a better conclusion. You’ll have to watch it yourself, but I can promise you that it will leave you thinking.
Source Code is the first blockbuster movie of the year, even if neither the budget nor the opening box office says otherwise. It’s giant where it counts, plot, character development, and originality. Duncan Clarke with Moon and now this, proves that he is going to be a big time director that will be a force in the business for hopefully many years to come. Source Code delivers everything you can ask for and more out of a film, and you’d be a fool to pass up the opportunity to watch this. The summer season starts here.
Overall Score: 8.5.10
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