Spaceman Review: Sandler Shines Bright in Contemplative Drama

In his first leading dramatic role since “Uncut Gems,” Adam Sandler brings a solemn grace to “Spaceman,” a meditative sci-fi odyssey directed by Johan Renck. Adapted from the 2017 novel “Spaceman of Bohemia,” the thoughtful screenplay by Colby Day contemplates isolation, companionship and self-discovery against the lonely backdrop of outer space.

As Czech astronaut Jakub Procházka, Sandler offers a raw portrayal of a man adrift – both physically on a solo mission to collect enigmatic space dust and emotionally due to tensions in his marriage. His encounter with a wise extraterrestrial spider named Hanuš (voiced by Paul Dano) sparks an unlikely bond that probes the depths of Jakub’s psyche. Their intimate exchanges take on a surreal quality, permeating the film with an odd yet affecting sense of introspection.

While some may yearn for Sandler’s signature comedy, his restrained performance works well with Renck’s patient direction and Max Richter’s hypnotic synth score to achieve a thoughtful tone. For viewers open to cinema that values mood over plot, “Spaceman” earns its place in the lineage of classic contemplative sci-fi. Past critical fatigue over the genre seems absent here, replaced by a story that uses otherworldly wonder not for showy spectacle but as a gateway into the human condition.

A Cosmic Journey of Self-Reflection

“Spaceman” follows Jakub Procházka (Adam Sandler), a Czech astronaut on a solo six-month mission to a distant nebula near Jupiter. While his celebrity status made him a national icon back home, prolonged isolation has taken an emotional toll. Haunted by tensions in his marriage to his pregnant wife Lenka (Carey Mulligan), Jakub tries to focus on his assignment to gather samples from the mystifying “Chopra Cloud.”

Things take a surreal turn when Jakub encounters an arachnid stowaway aboard his craft who introduces himself as Hanuš (voiced by Paul Dano). While unsettled at first, Jakub bonds with the wise yet peculiar extraterrestrial. As Hanuš studies memories of Jakub’s traumatic childhood and failing marriage, his soothing voice offers unexpected counseling. Their introspective exchanges spark a voyage of self-reflection within Jakub.

Back on Earth, Lenka has retreated into herself while staying at a remote sanctuary for single mothers. She records a message for Jakub announcing her intent to leave him but hesitates sending it. The space agency, aware of Jakub’s fragile emotional state, refrains from relaying her troublesome transmission to avoid derailing his critical mission.

As his ship floats among the cosmic dust and stars near his destination, visions of his past with Lenka fill Jakub’s mind. Having gained perspective from Hanuš on the importance of empathy and companionship, he grapples with a new outlook on identity, isolation, and the possibility of a second chance with Lenka.

Contemplating the Human Condition

Beneath its sci-fi trappings, “Spaceman” uses otherworldly wonder as a conduit to explore profoundly human themes of isolation, connection and self-identity. Director Johan Renck lingers on the stark emptiness of space, mirrored in Jakub’s barren emotional state. This bleakness makes his unlikely bond with Hanuš feel all the more vital. Their introspective exchanges form the core of the film’s ruminative power.

Symbolically, the arachnid’s ancient wisdom represents our primal need for community and companionship. His probing of Jakub’s psyche functions as a therapeutic process to uncover repressed trauma and regain perspective. Actor Paul Dano lends the perfect tranquil tone to embody this spiritual guide role. And while Carey Mulligan grapples with limited screen time as Lenka, she ably depicts the loneliness of a dissolving marriage from her earthbound scenes.

Sandler deserves praise for his raw dramatic work here, burying his comedic impulses to reveal a man worn down by the weight of his own regrets. Renck’s patient storytelling approach, floating camerawork and Richter’s hypnotic synth score all effectively echo Jakub’s dizzying malaise. Crisp cinematography by Jakob Ihre, alternating between cold spacecraft interiors and dazzling nebula vistas, maintains visual interest. And Jan Houllevigue’s production design realistically grounds Jakub’s predicament with tactile details.

Ultimately “Spaceman” transcends sci-fi tropes to arrive at a life-affirming emotional center thanks to its big-hearted themes. We may inhabit ordinary earthly roles, yet we all float through our inner space wrestling with existential questions of purpose and connection. By embracing Hanuš’ wisdom, Jakub gains fresh perspective to chart a new course both professionally and personally. One leaves this cinematic journey sensing we too can find meaning when we reach out across divides to foster deeper human understanding.

From Page to Screen

While largely faithful to Jaroslav Kalfař’s 2017 sci-fi novel “Spaceman of Bohemia,” the film adaptation does take some creative liberties. Screenwriter Colby Day streamlines the complex narrative involving Jakub’s family history and political backstory in communist Czechoslovakia. Some side characters are trimmed or combined to sharpen the focus on Jakub, Lenka and Hanuš.

Thematically the melancholic tone and heavy emphasis on introspection remain intact. Director Johan Renck actually heightens the surreal atmosphere once Hanuš appears, embracing the weirdness inherent to their unlikely bond. Certain plot details unfold differently, but the soul-searching interplay drives both versions.

Where they diverge is in the ending – the novel concludes with a darker finality while the film opts for a more hopeful, emotionally cathartic resolution. This arguably makes the story feel less ambiguous and subtle. Yet Sandler and Mulligan’s raw performances lend authenticity that grounds the sci-fi premise in relatable human drama.

In condensing Kalfař’s sprawling narrative, Day and Renck shape “Spaceman” into a focused meditation on regret, empathy and second chances. Sacrificing some of the peculiar absurdism of the novel, the film adaptation still captures its poignant essence through masterful acting and direction. The result may resonate more widely for audiences seeking both spectacle and humanity from their sci-fi.

A Poignant Journey Worth Taking

For all its fantastical trappings, “Spaceman” uses the boundless promise of the cosmos as a gateway into the soul. This introspective sci-fi odyssey confronts isolation to uncover the primal need for human connection. Anchored by Adam Sandler’s raw dramatic work and Paul Dano’s perfectly matched voice performance, the unlikely bond between man and extraterrestrial delves into substantive themes of regret, empathy and self-identity.

While some pacing issues drag during Johan Renck’s patient storytelling approach, patient viewers will be rewarded with a visually captivating and emotionally resonant experience. Sandler fans craving his signature comedy may be disappointed, but his solemn turn reveals profound depths. And Carey Mulligan brings quiet grace to a thinly-written role. For moviegoers open to mixing arthouse sensibilities with mainstream stars, “Spaceman” offers an accessible entry point into the mindful big-screen sci-fi lineage spanning from “Solaris” to “Ad Astra.”

In the end, by embracing the alien wisdom of Hanuš, Jakub gains a broader perspective on what matters most across the galaxy – cherishing intimate bonds that lend our lives meaning. Beyond its interstellar backdrop, “Spaceman” delivers a very human story about second chances and reconciliation. Anchored in timeless themes, this thoughtful cinematic voyage into the beauty and terror of the unknown is well worth embarking on.

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