SXSW Review: ‘Space Station 76’
A sci-fi comedic soap opera set in a 1970’s version of the future is not a movie premise you’ve most likely ever heard of until ‘Space Station 76’ came along. The movie, directed by Jack Plotnick, follows the lives of the people living on Space Station 76 and the comedic struggles each of the residents are going through.
The movie begins by introducing the audience to Jessica (Liv Tyler) a newly hired Assistant Captain of the ship and Captain Glenn Terry (Patrick Wilson) a suicidal and bitter man who we soon to find is struggling with his homosexuality. Life on the space station isn’t very amusing or exciting and some of the residents have trouble coping with their lives while simultaneously battling cabin fever.
Among the ship’s residents are the ship mechanic Ted (Matt Bomer), his Valium addicted wife Misty (Marisa Coughlan) and their daughter Sunshine (Kylie Rogers), along with Steve (Jerry O’Connell) and wife Donna (Kali Rocha).
Originally created as a stage play, Plotnick manages to successfully bring Space Station 76 from stage to screen. Plotnick prevails in creating comedy out of the despair of his characters as they struggle with suicide, sexuality, gender and health issues. The droll humor is hit-or-miss with the movie, but scenes such as the numerous failed suicide attempts from Captain Glenn and the robot therapist, Dr. Bot that loves handing out Valium to his/its patients make up for some of the other missed opportunities.
Space Station 76 turned out to be one of the most buzzed about movies during the SXSW film festival and managed to be picked up by Sony Pictures for international distribution.
About Author
