Sandler’s ‘Spaceman’ a so-so film for grown-ups about inner journey
Well-intended space adventure is trite at times.
You may not know it from the title or the vaguely cartoonish logo bearing that title, but “Spaceman” is not just another Adam Sandler-netflix movie.
Unlike the comedic live-action and animated romps the actor and producer has churned out as part of the multiple-times-extended movie-making deal between his Happy Madison Productions and the streaming giant, this is a drama with Sandler front and center trying to make one giant leap for mankind and boldly going where no man has gone before.
But while “Spaceman” sees Sandler’s character travel deep into the solar system on a solo mission, this story is primarily one of an introspective journey, as the protagonist worries the marriage he left on Earth is failing and works through choices he’s made with the help of an unusual new friend.
It’s always interesting to see Sandler take on the occasional drama, the “Saturday Night Live” alum giving strong performances in “Punch-drunk Love” (2002) and “Uncut Gems” (2019). Sorry to say he’s not as good here as lonely Czech cosmonaut Jakub Prochazka.
Still, it is a little surprising and disappointing that “Spaceman” is rarely more than borderline-engaging, given it’s directed by Johan Renck. Best known for helming episodes of TV shows, including a handful of “Breaking Bad” installments, he most notably directed every chapter of the acclaimed 2019 limited series “Chernobyl.” “Spaceman” is not on that level. We are formally introduced to Jakub as he is nearing Jupiter. Near the planet is what’s been dubbed the Chopra Cloud, a visually striking phenomenon in space that poses a threat to Earth.
“I wish you could see it the way I do,” he says during a broadcast back home. “As I enter the Chopra Cloud, I might just unravel some mysteries of the universe.”
During this chance for folks to interact with him, a young girl asks Jakub if he’s lonely, noting that he’s been called “the loneliest man in the world.” He assures her that he is not, that he talks every day with his wife, Lenka (Carey Mulligan).
In truth, not only is Jakub lonely, but he’s also not sleeping well, thanks at least in part to a malfunctioning toilet making constant noise. One night, he dreams of a small alien entity literally getting under his skin.
Soon, though, he encounters a much larger creature from a faraway place, a spider-like being he will come to name Hanus.
Initially, Hanus terrifies Jakub, who exposes the ship to a blast of anti-contaminant chemicals in an attempt to hurt the nightmarish visitor. However, Hanus, speaking calmly and gently (Paul Dano of “The Batman”), quickly convinces the fellow explorer he means him no harm.
Although he believes he may have lost his mind, Jakub is happy to have someone to talk to, especially since he suddenly isn’t hearing from Lenka.
She has recorded a message in which she informs him she’s leaving him — a message the woman in charge of the mission, Isabella Rossellini’s Commissioner Tuma, is refusing to send through to Jakub.
Hanus not only can communicate with Jakub in his own language, he seemingly has the power to help Jakub replay moments from his life, many of them painful.
However well-intended, this all is a bit ... well, something. It feels a little precious at times, downright trite at others.
Scenes on the ground featuring Lenka, who goes to visit her mother, Zdena (Lena Olin), are strong enough that “Spaceman” may have benefited from more of them — especially given the acting talent of Mulligan (“Maestro,” “Promising Young Woman”).
As it is, the film’s appeal lies mainly in the fact that it is not the typical Adam Sandler-netflix movie, and that takes this journey only so far.