Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright, Michael Arden
Directed by: Duncan Jones
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some violence including disturbing images, and for language.
Genre: Action, Thriller, Science Fiction
Running Time: 1 hr 34 min
Opening Date: April 1, 2011
Distributed by: Summit Entertainment
By John Delia
Suspenseful, explosive and intriguing Source Code breaks the mold in this thriller that entertains. The intricate plot constantly changes making the tale gripping and mysterious in a fantasy action adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Excitement and suspense lovers will get a double dip in Source Code where the expectancy never stops.
The plot centers on Captain Colter Stevens a Special Forces soldier who finds himself sitting on a train across from Christina Warren (Michelle Monaghan) a beautiful young lady who he does not know. He’s befuddled to find out that she knows him but calls him by another name. Eight minutes later the train blows up and he’s at a lab where his programmer Colleen (Vera Farmiga) repeats the assignment given to him. He again finds himself on the train in the same situation, but this time with more knowledge of what’s about to happen. When he finds that his mission involves an even bigger target, he must act fast to save Chicago,
The direction by Duncan Jones of the gripping script is superb. Able to keep the plot moving at a fast clip, make his characters real and create an action packed revolving door, Jones makes Source Code a winner. I enjoy the way he adds another problem in the mix each time Colter returns to the train after it explodes. Gathering the clues on each of his returns provides the fun of the movie keeping us guessing till the perpetrator gets revealed. It’s a nail biter right up to the very end.
Gyllenhaal shows fine talent making his character keep you wondering each step of the way. But I am more amazed by Farmiga who makes her dedicated character go from cold and calculating to sympathetic for her experimental subject. In support, Monaghan keeps her role malleable enough to maintain Captain Stevens perplexity throughout the ordeal.
Source Code is rated PG-13 for some violence including disturbing images, and for language.