The Vegas Voice 11-20

Away
By: Renee Riendeau / Movie Revelations
“
Away”, a sudsy space soap opera, directed
by Edward Zwick, features two time Oscar
winner Hilary Swank, who has been appointed
Commander of this Atlas mission. This is to be the world’s first trip to
Mars which will launch from the moon.
Netflix released this series in September, and it is a sci-fi drama
favorite. Swank plays Emma Green, a former Navy pilot who is married
( Josh Charles) and has a teenage daughter, Lex (Talitha Bateman)
who is fearful of her mother attempting to go to Mars with only a 50/50
chance of survival.
An international assemblage of scientists and researchers have been
chosen to accompany her in search of the red planet. Her crew consists
of a vodka swilling Russian named Misha (Mark Ivanir); a world
renowned botanist British Ghanian, Kwesi Weisbirg Adebayo; Indian
Air Force pilot Ram (Ray Panthaki);and a robotic Chinese chemist, Lu
(Vivian Wu).
Emma has left behind a husband who suffers a medical crisis as the
mission was ready for liftoff, has a stroke, and an emotional daughter
who fears losing both parents. The communication grows more
tenuous as the Mars module pulls further away from earth.
Emma has to deal with disciplinary problems and disagreements
with tact, firmness, and fairness. Swanks thoughtful performance is
essential to the whole enterprise.
This three year mission to Mars starts out calm, until changes have
to be made. The crew members soon realize they have to trust each
other if they are to survive.
The film focuses on the emotions of the mission. The movie is
rewardingly moving.
At times tears surfaced during tense moments. It’s actually a domestic
ensemble drama with the soaring sound tract setting the tone of the
mood of the Atlas, as each crew member finds out something about
themselves. The landing on Mars was spectacular for the crew, space
center, and the viewer.
I thoroughly enjoyed “AWAY” and give it a 5 out of 5 rating. Hilary
Swank is amazing in her role as a woman Commander of the Atlas
spaceship.
Renee Riendeau is the movie critic for “Renee’s Revelations”
on Anthem Alive SCA-TV. As a dog sitter she operates “ Renee’s
Roommates” out of her home and can be reached at
rriendeau@aol.com.
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November 2020
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