"The
Astronaut's Wife"
Stars:
Johnny Depp, Charlize Theron
110 minutes
Rated
R
New Line
Home Video
[FEB.
14, 2000] If
I had read the box more closely, I probably would have put this
video back on the shelf. But after watching the whole thing,
drinking it down, dreading its final outcome and enduring it to
the end, I found myself liking it. I might even recommend it to
the mature viewer who enjoys the thrill of a well-written modern
horror plot. |
"The
Astronaut’s Wife" opens with a perfectly matched
husband and wife, friends and lovers. For the first 10 minutes,
this appears to be a slice of life film. Spencer Armacost is the
astronaut (Johnny Depp) and Jillian is the astronaut’s wife (Charlize
Theron). Just as it seems they might be living happily ever after,
the plot turns. He embarks on a space mission as you say to
yourself, "Don’t go into space, don’t go into
space." But he doesn’t listen, and you know nothing will
ever be the same.
The
director of this engaging movie does his job well. The movie is
filmed with what seems to be an over-patient, eerie and dreamlike
quality. You feel like you may even be part of the plot, floating
along. You can’t run when you need to, and the one who is about
to die can’t seem to hear your advice. It’s a modern horror
film, a quiet terror without knives, chainsaws or screaming.
![](../images/movie_021400/TAW_1.jpg)
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![](../images/ads/Hajis/haji_2x3_000131.jpg)
Johnny
Depp seems to choose his parts carefully (need I remind you of
Gilbert Grape, Edward Scissorhands or Ed Wood?). He is perfect in
this roll opposite the beautiful, warm and sensitive Charlize
Theron for whom you embrace with concern and sympathy.
This
movie got my attention. I watched it to the end, and I give it
three stars.
[Midge]
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