Middle school science teacher, Ryland Grace, (played by Ryan Gosling) is asked to participate in a mission to "Tau Ceti," the only star in Earth's solar system that is not being destroyed by a star-eating microbe called astrophage. His team will try to discover how Tau Ceti has created resistence to the microbe and send their findings back to earth via space probes. The star is so far away that their spaceship can only carry enough fuel for a one-way trip meaning that the astronauts will not be able to return to earth after completing their mission.
This is enough to know going in. DO NOT read a more detailed synopsis of the plot before watching because it might include spoilers about the ending that will reduce its impact.
When I linked to the DVD at Amazon, I noticed that Project Hail Mary is their #1 bestseller at the moment and it's easy to see why. It's a good story mixed with humor and pathos. Gosling "owns the part" of Dr. Grace by making his predicament one hundred percent believable. Swearing is at a minimum. And the soundtrack is pretty fun too.
You might get a knot in your brain if you try to understand the "science" behind it all. After a while I just relaxed and enjoyed the excellent filming and storytelling. It has one of the best examples I've ever seen of what Tolkien calls a "eucatastrophe," a seeming disaster that becomes redemptive.
A great film! Did you watch it? What did you think?
Blessings,
