"Source Code" Is More Than Just Computer Programming

Director Duncan Jones again incorporates his strong sense of the science fiction genre that was presented in his directorial debut of “Moon” and completely reinvents the sci-fi thriller into an easily understood formula despite a seemingly complex concept that tackles some of life’s big questions.
After some sweeping views of the Chicago outskirts, the camera zooms in a commuter train where we see a man (Jake Gyllenhaal) jolt up from a nap.
He seems confused and groggy. It is apparent he doesn’t know where he is but the lady that is watching him with bemusement across from him does. Her name is Christina Warren (Michelle Monaghan) and she addresses him as Sean (Frédérick De Grandpré) but the man is certain she is mistaken. The man who knows himself as Capt. Colter Stevens, an Army pilot on assignment in the war in Afghanistan, is shocked to learn along with the audience, that the man looking back at him in the mirror isn’t him.
Just as the audience recognizes this startling moment, the screen then shows the commuter train exploding. This is the exhilarating opening to a film that sucks you in with its initial concept, story line, charismatic characters, and heart.
We later discover that what we’re seeing is an alternative reality and that the commuter train and all of its inhabitants were destroyed in a terrorist bombing.
Through a special software program called Source Code, scientists have been able to recreate the last eight minutes of a person’s life and have a special someone relive those moments in an alternative reality. That special someone is Capt. Colter Stevens who is on a mission to find out who planted the bomb.
Stevens is forced by his superiors, Goodwin (Vera Farmiga) and Dr. Rutledge (Jeffrey Wright) to continue reliving the last eight minutes of Sean Fentress’ life in order to find who is the terrorist and stop the next planned attack on Chicago.
This is where “Source Code” tackles larger themes and concepts as Stevens is able to interact with people in the last eight minutes of their lives. Does your mind or body make up who you are? And what are you willing to give up to save the lives of others? Every second counts now and every human interaction has more meaning and significance.
The film’s concept and complex storyline works due to the romantic chemistry and charisma of both Gyllenhaal and Monaghan. Stevens experiences all types of emotion as anyone would in this situation and Gyllenhaal is fully committed to the part.
The audience feels for Stevens and the compassion that Gyllenhaal brings makes his soldier more human and relatable.
Monaghan’s character starts off each eight minute set saying the same thing, but her on-screen presence comes alive each time the camera cuts to her smile.
Both Vera Farmiga and Jeffrey Wright play typical characters seen in science-fiction, Farmiga being an officer that starts off standoffish and cold to the audience but later warms up to Stevens and Wright being a scientist that takes his experiments a little too far. Farmiga is believable as an officer that has a moral center, but Wright’s character comes off as forced.
Once again, Duncan Jones proves that science fiction can be smart, action-packed, and full of heart and meaning.
Every eight minutes is looked at with a fresh perspective, with Gyllenhaal and Monaghan breathing life into a story that could have come off as being redundant.
Despite being confined on a commuter train, the story carries on even as the movie ends as Jones tackles themes that all can relate too.
Reach Reporter Sabrina Siu here.