It’s simple to overlook the fact that Adam Sandler is among the most gifted actors of his time due to the sporadically uneven quality of his filmography. Even though his career has taken some unexpected turns, Sandler is first and foremost a comedian, having created some truly funny comedic masterpieces. His most recent work, a sci-fi play directed by Johan Renck about Chernobyl, features the Sandman changing into the Spaceman, a Czech cosmonaut. However, there is none of the trademark humor present. It’s a strange, reflective, and lovely story about love, loneliness, and connection.
Colby Day’s screenplay, which is based on Jaroslav Kalfař’s book Spaceman of Bohemia, combines elements of space science fiction (Sandler’s astronaut is traveling to Jupiter to look into the enigmatic “Chopra cloud”) with relationship drama when Jakub discovers that his marriage to his pregnant wife Lenka (Carey Mulligan) back on Earth is failing. Hanuš (voiced by Paul Dano), a hairy, Labrador-sized spider who emerges aboard the ship out of nowhere, is the connector between the two parts. In an attempt to comprehend people better, he examines Jakub’s recollections and along the way, he gives some unsolicited love counsel.
Adam Sandler gives a subdued performance that makes Jakub likable.
Though his initial appearance is frightening, Hanuš soon establishes himself as a dependable, charming standout. Spaceman has a depressing default setting, but the intelligent extraterrestrial provides what humor does exist. Dano’s tendency to refer to Jakub as a “skinny human” and his finding of chocolate are amusing, and he occasionally incorporates subtle voice inflections into his composed, calming manner. You’ll wish he was your unofficial therapist by the time the movie ends.
Undoubtedly, Jakub needs to face some unpleasant realities. He comes across as a dislikeable blend of introverted and self-absorbed at the beginning of the film. It takes Hanuš’s persistent questioning for Jakub to admit the underlying reasons for his pain and learn what is really important. The movie’s best moment is an embrace between the two friends who are slowly growing closer. It’s the ideal balance of storytelling and technical skill, belying its strange sci-fi elements. It’s immensely helped by Max Richter’s score, which is ethereal and stirring throughout that crucial moment of realization. For a large portion of the film, it’s menacing and simmering beneath the surface, but when it emerges, it’s a rich blend of gorgeous synths and swirling strings.
Jakub is unlikeable, yet because of Sandler’s controlled, nuanced acting, he comes across as likable. Mulligan also lends Lenka, despite the character’s underwriting, some much-needed interiority and autonomy through a continual stream of flashbacks and Earth-set scenes that show how the star-crossed lovers came to be. Their relationship may have suffered due to distance, but they deserve a happy ending.