Klara and the Sun
Klara and the Sun is good largely because of Jenna Ortega, who gives the best performance I have seen from her. It is refreshing to see her step away from the anxious teenager roles she has become associated with and play someone completely different. She makes Klara feel innocent, curious, observant, and deeply compassionate without simply playing her as a human trapped inside a robot. Her restrained movements, expressions, and unusual understanding of the world give Klara a distinct personality. As the story develops, it becomes increasingly interesting that she often demonstrates more empathy and selflessness than the humans around her.
I also really like the central idea of an artificial companion designed to prevent loneliness developing a genuine emotional connection with a human being. The movie raises fascinating questions about consciousness, love, sacrifice, identity, loneliness, and what it actually means to be human. Klara’s unwavering devotion to Josie creates an interesting contrast with a society increasingly willing to treat relationships, intelligence, and even people as things that can be manufactured or replaced.
Taika Waititi gives the movie warmth and an interesting visual personality. The near-future world feels recognizable but slightly artificial, which fits a story largely experienced through Klara’s unusual perspective. I especially like the contrast between her innocent interpretation of the world and the more complicated reality surrounding her. Waititi also finds humor and tenderness in the material without turning the movie into a conventional science-fiction story.
Amy Adams brings considerable emotional weight to Josie’s mother, whose love is complicated by grief and fear, while Mia Tharia makes Josie more than simply someone Klara needs to protect. Their family dynamic gives Klara’s presence greater meaning and creates an interesting contrast between a mother’s desperate attempts to save her daughter and Klara’s simpler, almost unconditional devotion.
Unfortunately, the final 15 minutes brought the movie down considerably for me. I did not love the ending, and the emotional resolution feels less satisfying than the thoughtful story that precedes it. I have not read the book, so I am judging the ending entirely as it works in the film. Klara and the Sun has interesting ideas, strong performances, and an excellent turn from Ortega, but I walked away wishing it had finished as strongly as it started.
I also really like the central idea of an artificial companion designed to prevent loneliness developing a genuine emotional connection with a human being. The movie raises fascinating questions about consciousness, love, sacrifice, identity, loneliness, and what it actually means to be human. Klara’s unwavering devotion to Josie creates an interesting contrast with a society increasingly willing to treat relationships, intelligence, and even people as things that can be manufactured or replaced.
Taika Waititi gives the movie warmth and an interesting visual personality. The near-future world feels recognizable but slightly artificial, which fits a story largely experienced through Klara’s unusual perspective. I especially like the contrast between her innocent interpretation of the world and the more complicated reality surrounding her. Waititi also finds humor and tenderness in the material without turning the movie into a conventional science-fiction story.
Amy Adams brings considerable emotional weight to Josie’s mother, whose love is complicated by grief and fear, while Mia Tharia makes Josie more than simply someone Klara needs to protect. Their family dynamic gives Klara’s presence greater meaning and creates an interesting contrast between a mother’s desperate attempts to save her daughter and Klara’s simpler, almost unconditional devotion.
Unfortunately, the final 15 minutes brought the movie down considerably for me. I did not love the ending, and the emotional resolution feels less satisfying than the thoughtful story that precedes it. I have not read the book, so I am judging the ending entirely as it works in the film. Klara and the Sun has interesting ideas, strong performances, and an excellent turn from Ortega, but I walked away wishing it had finished as strongly as it started.
Mini Review: Klara and the Sun is good largely because of Jenna Ortega, who gives the best performance I have seen from her. It is refreshing to see her step away from the anxious teenager roles she has become associated with and play someone completely different. She makes Klara feel innocent, curious, observant, and deeply compassionate without simply playing her as a human trapped inside a robot. Her restrained movements, expressions, and unusual...