Solaris (1972): A Cosmic Dive Into the Human Psyche

Still from Solaris (1972)

Andrei Tarkovsky’s Solaris, a 1972 Mosfilm production, isn’t your typical space adventure. Forget laser battles and alien invasions; this picture is a slow burn, a cerebral exploration of consciousness, memory, and the human condition, all set against the backdrop of a mysterious space station orbiting the planet Solaris. It’s a movie that stays with you, prompting questions about what it means to be human long after the credits roll.

We are introduced to Kris Kelvin, portrayed by Donatas Banionis, a psychologist sent to investigate a space station where the crew has gone radio silent, except for a few cryptic messages. On arrival, he finds that the two remaining cosmonauts, Gibarian (Sos Sarkisyan) and Snaut (Jüri Järvet), are behaving strangely. The source of the trouble appears to be Solaris, a planet-sized ocean that seems to possess an unusual power, a power that manifests in the appearance of “guests,” physical manifestations of the cosmonauts’ deepest memories. For Kris, this takes the form of his deceased wife, Hari, played with heartbreaking fragility by Natalya Bondarchuk, who is both a comfort and a painful reminder of his past.

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Still from Solaris (1972).

The story unfolds at an unhurried pace, allowing the viewers to absorb the bleak, isolating atmosphere of the station and the profound emotional states of the characters. Tarkovsky’s direction is masterful, with his signature long takes, and dreamlike sequences adding to the feeling of surreal disorientation. The visual style is incredibly striking, blending the sterile, industrial look of the space station with the alien beauty of Solaris. The film uses these to create a sense of unease and mystery, further enhanced by the eerie electronic score from Eduard Artemyev.

The strength of Solaris lies not in its action sequences, but in its exploration of the internal landscapes of its characters, especially Kris and his struggle with the “re-created” Hari. She is not simply a copy of his late wife, but rather, a new entity that embodies his love and guilt. This raises some profound questions: What is real? What makes us who we are? And can we ever truly escape our past? In the end, the movie doesn’t really give any simple answers to these questions. It’s a dense, at times difficult, experience but it’s ultimately very rewarding for anyone willing to engage with its philosophical ideas. Anatoly Solonitsyn, although in a smaller role as Dr. Sartorius, also stands out with his stern performance.

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Solaris is a Mosfilm production.
Release Date: 1972
Director: Andrei Tarkovsky
Cast: Donatas Banionis, Natalya Bondarchuk, Jüri Järvet, Sos Sarkisyan, Anatoly Solonitsyn

Head of film reviews at The Viewers Guide with an erudite, insightful, slightly sardonic, deep appreciation for classic cinema. Has a habit of quoting obscure lines from old films in everyday conversation. He keeps a meticulously organized film logbook. He's a bit of a tea snob.