'Ad Astra' Review: Brad Pitt's Melancholic Space Contemplation

In a decade where space films have become a norm, James Gray's own version emerges as he uses space only as a facade, a magnificent veneer exquisitely shot by Hoyte van Hoytema, to orbit the meaning of human existence.

In Ad Astra, Brad Pitt as astronaut Roy McBride travels to the outer ends of the solar system in search of his missing father and unravel a problem that's threatening mankind. But as vast as the universe is, the film goes beyond and larger than this plot. Like the space as a facade, this adventure is not just about finding a missing dad. Rather it ends up being about one's place and meaning in life and the universe.

Often shadowed with McBride's melancholic contemplation via confessionals or voice-overs, Ad Astra has a sincere and sentimental vibe to it. Max Richter's breathtaking score heightens this but it's also not devoid of gripping action that we mostly see in space movies. It's still complete with moon chase scenes, blood, and other space absurdities that are almost always imperative in sci-fi movies. Richter never falters whichever scene his music is in.

In a way, director James Gray still gives in to the unspoken requirement of a space movie but at the end of it, he still triumphs in what he does best--exploring human emotions in his own gentle way and he always does so by adding other layers like exploration or immigration and not just your ordinary day-to-day story.

I've only seen two of his movies before this, and it's impressive how each one is so distinct yet all are affecting. Once his films end and his name appears in the credit, there's an immediate feeling of reflection and extra sadness that goes with it. Says a lot by how perfect he ends his films--whether it's the lingering shot of The Statue of Liberty in The Immigrant or the wife's refusal to discontinue his husband's exploration of a lost city in The Lost City of Z.

Brad Pitt's expressive and nuanced performance is not to be taken for granted. His performance is just as good and appropriate as Gray's vision. Both of their hearts beat together in this "space of life" story. One could say that he's probably in a sad and reflective state while doing this which is perfect for the material.

Ad Astra overall does not have the action-packed excitement of other space films, but it's just perfect in its own unique way. As even in its reserved action elements, it's able to explore more techniques in showcasing what's out there beyond Earth and by the end of it, we contemplate with Roy not only about his life but ours as well.