Review: Source Code

I'll admit that i wasn't very interested in Source Code from the commercials I had seen on TV in the weeks leading up to it's release. It came over as a bad science fiction flick with a one note premise. Thankfully that is not the case as director Duncan Jones and writer Ben Ripley have crafted a good sci-fi action mystery that is elevated immensely by a great performance from lead Jake Gyllenhaal. As a follow up to Duncan Jones' first film Moon, Source Code may not be as completely out there after it's conclusion as the heady space trip and character depth that filled the station of moon. Yet, Source Code will more likely find a bigger, more approving audience at it's feet.

Gyllenhaal plays Captain Colter Steven, a helicopter pilot who mysteriously wakes on a train with no idea of how he got there or who any of the people around him are, including a girl Christina (Michelle Monaghan) who seems to know him as a man named Sean. While completely disoriented the train explodes killing all passengers aboard, while Colter wakes up in a chamber, strapped to a chair and being greeted by Carol Goodwin (Vera Farmiga) who explains that Colter is inside a machine called the Source Code and that he has eight minutes to stop the bomb on the train he was just on to prevent a more devastating attack from occurring later. From there the film becomes a mystery as to stopping the bomb and finding the bomber.

Luckily Gyllenhaal is a strong leading man and is quiet capable of pulling off many ranges of emotions that go through Colter's mind as he continues to try again and again to halt the trains destruction and rescue Christina who he slowly starts to fall for. Michelle Monaghan does well as the pretty girl of Colter's affections, but is mostly given little to do. Vera Farmiga fairs better with her and Gyllenhaal having good chemistry together. The cast is rounded out by Dr. Rutledge (Jeffrey Wright) who created the Source Code and is quiet menacing when he needs to be yet sometimes feels a little one note.

As to why this film is lucky to have a strong leading man it's because the science fiction, while extremely important to the overall plot, doesn't seem to be as important as the character drama and intended romance that ultimately don't strike as big a cord as the explanations as to what is truly going on, both Colter's predicament and the Source Code itself. This is apparent as the 92 minute film starts to draw to a close with at least 20 minutes left to go filled with moments to don't feel as important now that we know that's happening. Coupled with a slightly sappy tone to some of the romantic moments including swelling happy music that becomes particularly annoying and drag down what could have been and amazing movie to just really good.

A compelling premise, great direction from Duncan Jones, and the best Jake Gyllenhaal performance since Donnie Darko elevate this slightly more simple sci-fi thriller in to something greater than the sum of it's parts. For such a short movie I feel weird wishing some of the ending had been trimmed and was also slightly peeved by the most intriguing concept showing up as the end even if I had seen it coming, but despite all that I still very much enjoyed my time in the Source Code. Just take all my criticism slightly.

4/5