ASTRONAUT'S WIFE

"Two very beautiful movie stars re-enact the plot of Rosemary’s Baby in some very expensive-looking sets. Charlize Theron plays the most glamorous primary-school teacher in the world; Johnny Depp is her equally spiffy husband. A lot of time is spent demonstrating that this couple, despite their enormous wealth, are just plain folks. Clea Duvall, as Jillian’s wisecracking sister, is the closest thing to a real human being in sight, and virtually steals the film. Writer-director Rand Ravich doesn’t bother to disguise his sources (even Theron’s cropped hairstyle is stolen from Mia Farrow) but his sense of style is interestingly technological: he spins the camera round at high speed, briefly throws the action into fast motion, and does some semi-subliminal things with sound to literalise the idea of the ‘alien’ as beyond the limits of human perception. Despite these flourishes, this sci-fi thriller is oddly low-key and attenuated: certain important mysteries – notably, to do with the weapons project Spencer is working on – are never resolved outright. This could be subtlety, or just plain incoherence (reportedly neither the director nor the stars were pleased with the studio’s final cut). The biggest liability is Theron, a limited actress who never shakes off her elegant supermodel langour. As for Depp, after years of playing eccentric, cerebral characters, he gets to swagger round, show off his muscles and display some physical menace. It’s ironic that he was probably hired in the first place because of his recessive, otherworldly screen persona. Either way, he gives another mannered, skew-whiff performance, and mimics his character’s hick attributes – the Southern drawl and jock sense of humor – with a dandyish flair. He’s not very believable, but no-one looks better in sunglasses and a black trenchcoat."
Jake Wilson

"The Astronaut’s Wife is one of the year’s most frustrating movies. While watching it, I was enthralled by director Rand Ravich’s beautifully constructed and subtly told tale of insidious, creeping terror. In fact, for seven-eighths of its length, the film is an object lesson in building tension in the Hitchcock mould. But it’s let down with a crash by a rather silly heavy-handed climax and a pat ending. So disappointing. Still, there’s a lot to enjoy in this contemporary and stylish sci-fi thriller. Part Invasion of the Body Snatchers, part Rebecca, the film features some powerful, intriguing and involving scenes. Until the ending, Spencer’s secret is successfully kept from both Jillian and us. The mixture of this secrecy and the film’s wonderful use of lighting, production design and music build an authentically eerie atmosphere. Another big plus for The Astronaut’s Wife is a strong performance by Charlize Theron. Looking like a young Sharon Stone, she could be an Oscar contender if she can land meatier projects. Johnny Depp is fine as her creepy husband, but he suffers from having little to do but look menacing. Of the supporting cast, Joe Morton and Donna Murphy are both good, although they too, have little to do. Keep an eye out for two actor/directors, Nick Cassavetes and Tom Noonan, in cameo roles. The Astronaut’s Wife shows a lot of style and promise, but is cruelly let down at the final hurdle."
David Edwards