SPHERE

US, 1998, 135 minutes, Colour.
Dustin Hoffman, Sharon Stone, Samuel L. Jackson, Peter Coyote, Queen Latifah, Liev Schreiber, Marga Gomez.
Directed by Barry Levinson.

In the tradition of The Abyss, Aliens and all those science fiction stories where scientists trapped in a confined and unfamiliar craft, are so terrified that they materialise their fears. This time, a sunken spacecraft contains a beautiful but mysterious sphere that transforms the scientists drawing out their destructive forces. And for those who like this sort of thing, there is the added value of Dustin Hoffman who does not normally appear in this kind of film as well as Sharon Stone and Samuel L. Jackson. Initially there is some sharp dialogue and satire but then the movie goes into monster mode. Barry Levinson is more at home with Rain Man, Sleepers, Wag the Dog but he makes the proceedings look classy. Claustrophobic encounters with the id and with an alien world.

1.Science fiction? Science fantasy? Based on the work of Michael Crichton? Imagination about science, the future? The psyche?

2.Science and black holes, time travel, the spheres, aliens, the sphere and its power to take over the human psyche? Exploration of these themes?

3.The psychological dimension, the staff, Norman Goodman and his background? Going into the sphere, the release of the subconscious and unconscious from the psyche? The terror dimension? The destructive dimension?

4.The underwater location, the sea, the vessels?

5.The title, the sphere as a perfect shape, its appearance, audience expectations? The dashing of expectations with destruction?

6.Captain Barnes, the submarine, his command, personality, relationship with the crew, having the scientists on board? In action, handling the crises?

7.The experts and their background, talent, expertise, working as a team? The bond between them? The background of Norman and Beth and their relationship? Harry and his going into the sphere, the effect? The deaths of the other members of the team? The creation of the character Jerry? The life of the sphere? Control? The need to be freed from the sphere and its influence?

8.Norman, Dustin Hoffman’s style, psychologist, background and training, expertise, the past relationship with Beth? Coming on board, his task? Exploring the sphere? The puzzle? The experience with Harry? Having to cope, going into the sphere, the deaths, the effect on him and Beth? Dealing with it at the end?

9.Beth, her past, relationship with Norman, expertise, the reason for her being on board, her discoveries and amazement? With Norman and Harry, the dangers? Going into the sphere? The effect on her? Dealing with the effect of the sphere with Norman?

10.Harry and his expertise, his going into the sphere, coming out again, destructive, the deaths of the other members of the crew? His loss of memory? His being the target?

11.Fletcher, her role, the dangers? Fielding and his expertise, the deaths of the other members of the staff? Supporting?

12.The blend of realism, fable? The nature of the chapters, delineating the events, in the form of a report?

13.How effective the fantasy elements, the sphere itself, time travel, at the bottom of the sea, the aliens, the releasing of the unconscious and subconscious? The message of this kind of science fiction fable?