Writer/Director: James Gray
Starring: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones and Donald Sutherland
‘A Beautiful Period Piece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have lit a bright spark as powerfully as Brad Pitt. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Pitt has become an icon. Whether it’s detectives seeking to investigate murders, Formula 1 drivers or fight club owners, Pitt has played several strong characters. Arguably, Pitt’s strength as an actor has always been his commitment to his craft. He is one of those actors that has often had talent for stealing the show in supporting roles with limited screen-time. Even when he is not the main focus of a movie, Pitt has left an impression. Despite reaching age of retirement, Pitt has never lost his passion for making engaging entertainment. A movie-star with charisma, Pitt has been an icon in Cinema. Throughout his strong career, Pitt has made many bold movies that are definitely worth absolutely talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Pitt and adore all the films which he has made in his career. However, “Ad Astra” is definitely his most underrated work. Released in 2019, James Gray’s movie offered a powerful portrait of loneliness that is endured by astronauts in space. Packed with breathtaking production design, bold storytelling and strong acting, it’s one of the best science fiction films ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Brad Pitt, who portrays an astronaut that faces loneliness. Although “Ad Astra” is an engaging science fiction blockbuster, it isn’t a flawless film. It suffers from slow pacing that tests viewers’ patience. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment for fans of the sci-fi genre.
Set in the near future, “Ad Astra” tells story of an astronaut that is haunted by trauma. Brad Pitt portrays Roy McBride, a troubled astronaut that treats his job with pride. Roy has always enjoyed exploring the reaches of space that he has often grown to embrace. However, Roy’s life forever changes when he embarks on a space adventure that causes disaster. Facing a state of silence, Roy soon questions whether it’s truly possible for him to overcome violence. Given hardships that he must face, Roy questions his lifelong love for space. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Roy questions whether it’s truly possible to survive space disaster.
James Gray has always been fascinated with themes of loneliness. His acclaimed film “Two Lovers” offered a strong portrait of lonely lovers. With “Ad Astra”, however, Gray created his first ever science fiction blockbuster. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lively of astronauts that are lonely but he succeeded. Through captivating cinematography, Gray captures an astronaut embarking on a journey across the galaxy. Evoking Ron Howard’s “Apollo 13”, Gray effectively uses handheld camera to capture astronauts in space experiencing trauma. For instance, handheld camerawork elevates the space expedition scene. During this unforgettable scene, Roy embarks upon a journey across space on his first mission. Through handheld camera, Gray creates a portrait of space that’s engaging. Handheld camerawork is a tricky technique. As David Fincher’s “Se7en” demonstrated, handheld camerawork elevates serial killer films. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Gray captures tense hardships which lonely astronauts are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Ad Astra” that deserves appreciation is the action. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the finest space movies ever made. Evoking George Lucas’ “Star Wars”, Gray effectively employs cross-cutting to craft action sequences that are engaging. For instance, cross-cutting enhances the space monkeys scene. During this unforgettable scene, Roy witnesses a group of dangerous space monkeys which threaten his fate in humanity. Using cross-cutting, Gray created a science fiction film that’s engaging. Moreover, the music score is magnificent. Max Richter’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing the painful burden astronauts bear. Using breathtaking production, Gray captures astronauts which face tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Ad Astra” is a science fiction film which is engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses narration to capture tension which astronauts in space are experiencing. Recalling Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar”, Gray effectively uses narration to capture tensions faced by astronauts experiencing disaster. For instance, narration enhances the father scene. During this unforgettable scene, Roy expresses his strong views on his father through narration. Through voice-over narration, Gray creates a portrait of astronauts which audiences can relate to. Narration is a tricky technique to use in film. As David Fincher’s “Fight Club” suggested, narration enhances psychological thrillers. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Though a strong screenplay, Gray captures astronauts that experience a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Brad Pitt delivers one of his greatest career performances as Roy McBride. Pitt earned appreciation playing owners of fight clubs in thrillers. With “Ad Astra”, however, Pitt took on his most subtle role. It isn’t easy to play an astronaut that faces loneliness in galaxy but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, emotional and serious in his most complex role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, courage and grief of an astronaut that faces tensions. It’s a superb performance from one of the finest actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Pitt, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Tommy Lee Jones is terrific, capturing the authority of an aging astronaut that struggled to mend broken bonds with his estranged son that he Loved dearly. Liv Tyler is remarkable, and brings out the charismatic nature of a young woman grieving the loss of her astronaut lover. Lastly, Donald Sutherland deserves appreciation. As an aging astronaut, he is unforgettable.
Although “Ad Astra” is undeniably a riveting science fiction blockbuster, it isn’t a flawless film. Gray’s decisions to integrate subplots about astronaut artificial intelligence into the movie is clever but hinders the pacing. Due to this faulty technique, scenes which capture Roy’s interactions with the artificial intelligence aren’t as engaging as his strong journeys across space. As Terry Gilliam’s “12 Monkeys” suggested, subplots about artificial intelligence elevate dystopian sci-fi films. Therefore, “Ad Astra” can’t capture the tensions that are faced by astronauts people adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Brad Pitt will definitely enjoy “Ad Astra” and so would audiences seeking exhilarating entertainment. A bold science fiction blockbuster, it honours an iconic actor.
Nearly 5 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about an astronaut seeking to overcome grief in space, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a successful career though his abilities to portray compelling characters in iconic movies which audiences have grown to embrace.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 