Source Code

"Source Code"
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright
Directed by: Duncan Jones
93 minutes
USA/2011

Duncan Jones' sophomore effort Source Code, has the familiar texture of recent and past sci-fi films that deal with time travel, alternate realities, and fate. It's Jones, son of David Bowie, whose first feature was the tightly crafted Moon, which was recognized and appreciated by critics for its tight knit story of alienation in space. Sam Rockwell received raves for his performance in that film, but this film is perhaps more accessible, and should provide the spring film season with a nice little jolt. With Source Code, Jones proves once again he has the chops as a visual storyteller, no matter how recognizable the narrative of Source Code may be.

Source Code wastes no time thrusting the viewer into its discombobulating world. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Colter Stevens, an Army pilot who mysteriously wakes up on a Chicago bound train with no recollection of how he got there. Sitting across from him is Christina Warren, played by Michelle Monaghan. She recognizes him as a teacher named Sean, but Stevens' can't put the pieces together. A few minutes later, the train explodes killing everyone on board. Stevens then awakes in a darkly lit module where he's being monitored on a screen by Collen Goodwin, a government agent played by Vera Farmiga. Goodwin is asking for the identity of the bomber of the train. Pacing around her in the background is Dr. Rutledge played Jeffrey Wright. Both play their part in keeping Stevens in the dark, while continuing to thrust him back onto the train in the eight minute span before it blows up. Speaking anymore about the plot, would be a disservice to the viewer.

If this all sounds like a rift on Groundhog Day, or even the underrated Tony Scott film Deja Vu, that's because it basically is, except Source Code has its own little niche of originality which separates it from the previous films mentioned. One of the best components of the film is its brisk pacing, and the proper sense of urgency that is appropriately executed throughout the film. Screenwriter Ben Ripley does a good job of placing us in the shoes of Stevens, as we the audience are playing detective along with the protagonist.

The film doesn't delve as far into the rules of its own universe as we might think. Stevens is quickly briefed on what source code is by those monitoring him, and we're basically just supposed to go with it and accept how far fetched it is. It all worked for me, but audiences may find themselves thinking "been there, done that" many times throughout.

Gyllenhaal, who has appeared in recent duds such as Love and Other Drugs and Prince of Persia, is instantly likable and believable in his role. For my money, he's just as reliable as many other A-listers out there when utilized properly. While this isn't his best performance, we totally buy his character and its fun watching him weave his way in and out of dismay. Michelle Monaghan is always lovely, but isn't really given much to do here, she's an underwritten love interest at best, but for whatever its worth, her presence is always felt. Farmiga and Wright as the seedy, and mysterious "higher ups" aren't bad in their roles, but Wright is hamming it up here, while Farmiga's character may or may not be sympathetic to Stevens' plight.

As Source Code moves along, the film briefly touches on other ideas and themes, but they never feel forced or out of touch with the overall tone of the film. Jones has managed to make a nice little sci-fi film that has a slight "Hitchcockian" touch, and a heart at its core. The director is now two for two, and should get a little more artistic freedom for his next film if this one pays off.

Grade: 3.5/5