"Solaris" (1972) is probably one of the most intense, concept-dense films I've ever watched where the film loves to explore the themes of existentialism and the complexities of science. It explores a range of profound topics, including sleep, love, death, and the human condition, against the setting of an otherworldly, cosmic environment, the planet Solaris. This specific review is going to be a bit different, where in this one I split my biggest takeaways in three different segments due to how dense the film is.
My first takeaway from the film is its presentation on sleep as a metaphorical bridge between life and death. Sleep is explored not just as a physical necessity but as a state that echoes the finality and mystery of death. This is particularly evident in the character of Hari, who initially cannot sleep. Her inability to sleep signifies her detachment from human experiences and, symbolically, from the concept of mortality. As the film progresses, Hari develops the ability to sleep, marking her gradual evolution towards understanding and embodying human life and its inevitable cessation.
Director Andrei Tarkovsky uses sleep to delve into more profound existential questions. The state of sleep in "Solaris" symbolizes a temporary escape from reality, a momentary death that each character experiences. It's a period where the subconscious takes over, akin to the ocean of Solaris influencing the characters' reality. The blurring of lines between sleep and death in the film challenges the viewer to ponder the nature of consciousness and what it means to be truly alive or dead.
My second main takeaway is the idea of love that Tarkovsky presents in "Solaris," portrayed as a complex idea that allows for a transformative experience. Through the evolving relationship between Hari and Kris, love is shown as a phenomenon that transcends physical existence and rational understanding. Hari, just a physical manifestation of Kris's memories and desires (classified as a materialization), gradually becomes more emotionally sound and basically sentient. Her growing understanding and embodiment of love signify her transition towards a more human-like existence.
The film explores how love can create, define, and separate humans. As Hari becomes increasingly capable of love, she moves closer to the human condition. This development raises questions about what it means to be human and the role of emotions in our identity. Hari and Kris's love is very different from traditional love stories, pushing the boundaries of what is traditionally understood about emotional connections. It's a love that defies logic and science, challenging both the characters and the audience to reconsider the limits and potential of human emotions.
My final big takeaway from the film is its commentary on death and existentialism, which is heavily central to "Solaris." The movie prompts us as an audience to deeply reflect on life after death and face the inherent fear and inevitability of dying. It discusses immortality as a flawed concept, referencing Faustian themes (as quoted many times in the movie). Hari's existence, simultaneously meaningless and significant, encapsulates this existential crisis, leading her to willingly accept death. The character Gibarian also grapples with the blurred lines between reality and hallucination, ultimately accepting death at the very beginning of the film.
The film forces us to raise many questions about human consciousness, reality, and existence, mainly through understanding Hari's struggle with her identity as a materialization of Kris's memory. Her journey from being a manifestation to an actual "human" with a conscience challenges the viewer's understanding of existence.
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"Solaris" also contemplates the human relationship with the cosmos and science. Probably my favorite piece of dialogue from the movie is Snaut's speech, where he reflects on humanity's reluctance to explore the unknown, suggesting that humans prioritize understanding themselves over cosmic exploration. It makes us question whether our pursuit of scientific knowledge, as mankind, is more about self-preservation than genuine curiosity about the universe.
Solaris" is a highly thought-provoking film that intertwines existential questions with a deep exploration of human emotions and the mysteries of the universe. Probably going to end up being one of my favorite movies of all time as I continue to understand it more and more.
