Source Code

I watched Source Code for a second time and again found it to be an effective thriller that creates an alternate reality and succeeds in demonstrating it. I also enjoyed the heartfelt elements of the story involving Jake Gyllenhaal's character's relationship with his father. I also appreciated the acting more the second time around and was impressed with the work of Gyllenhaal, Vera Farmiga, and the particularly endearing Michelle Monaghan. I look forward with great anticipation to the next film from Duncan Jones.


4/3/11 A man wakes up on a Chicago bound passenger train not knowing who he is, and claiming he is an Air Force captain on tour in Afghanistan. As he tries to come to terms with what's going on, he talks to a pretty young woman who seems to be smitten with him. Then suddenly an explosion rips through the train, engulfing everyone aboard whereupon the captain wakes up in a chamber as himself. He is informed that he is part of a secret mission by a secret branch of the military where he can be sent back in time into another person's body to live out their last 8 minutes with the hope that he can find the person responsible for the bombing and prevent a series a terrorist attacks. Source Code is another complex sci-fi film about multiple realities made by Duncan Jones who also brought us the fine film Moon. Here we have a high concept plot that is executed really well. We get some nice performances from Vera Farmiga as the no nonsense mission operator who may have a soft spot. Jake Gyllenhaal is effective as the captain and his short lived relationship with Michelle Monaghan is surprisingly poignant. Like Groundhog Day and Run Lola Run, films dealing  with repeated time travel (though here we learn that it isn't exactly what this is) are fascinating to watch because as we become familiar with the setting it is intriguing to see how different choices affect that reality. This movie understands that and takes that to a new level.