Hope is elsewhere: In 'Project Hail Mary', Ryan Gosling and an alien team up to save their planets
THE SUN IS dying and only a molecular biologist-turned-schoolteacher can save it. Otherwise, part of the population will start dying in 30 years, provided every nation rations its food equally. Which, as the dour East German scientist (Sandra Hüller) leading the global team to save the earth says, is “highly unlikely”.
Project Hail Mary is based on Andy Weir’s novel of the same name. On paper, nothing suggests that a film about a schoolteacher who saves the earth with help from a rock-like alien would succeed. But when the teacher is played by Ryan Gosling and Rocky, the alien, is a cute five-legged puppet, the film becomes a powerful story about love, friendship and sacrifice.
Gosling backed the project through a risk averse-Hollywood so props to him, especially for the focus on practical effects rather than VFX. Project Hail Mary is a humbling, humane film, perfectly timed for our imperfect times. As Hüller sings in the film (a Harry Styles song), “Just stop your crying/It’s a sign of the times/Welcome to the final show/Hope you’re wearing your best clothes.” The movie leaves a lasting message: when the end is near, it’s best to go out with your head held high.