A film review by Gio Corsi Copyright © 1999 Movie-Page

Spencer Arbocost is a top NASA Astronaut and while fixing a satellite in space, something happens to him and his partner and they lose communication for two whole minutes. Spencer's loving wife Jillian Arbocost is a Elementary School teacher, who learns of her husband's accident and fears the worst but thankfully, he comes back to earth alive. But something is wrong with her husband, he's changed since the accident and he's not exactly the same. What really happened during those two minutes in space?

This is the basic storyline for THE ASTRONAUT'S WIFE, a loose, bland and different take on ROSEMARY'S BABY but in space... and not as creepy... and not as exciting... and well let's just say, it could have been better.

Johnny Depp (FEAR & LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS) plays Spencer Arbocost, the Astronaut in question while Charlize Theron (DEVIL'S ADVOCATE) plays his wife Jillian. Both actors do a adequate job with the material they are given but unfortunately the material doesn't take them far, more on that later though. Depp's character has a southern accent that slips every once in a while but otherwise he is quite believable as the off-kilter and slightly creepy Astronaut. I was quite surprised in Theron's performance, pleasantly surprised, she actually held the entire movie together quite well and the two stars played off of each other splendidly. The problem is with the story itself, it never goes anywhere. The first half hour of the movie is exciting and it builds the characters and situations well but then it plateau's and stays there for the rest of the film. Like a car that is stuck in third gear (you know it could go faster and you want it to go faster but it doesn't), THE ASTRONAUT'S WIFE never leaves the realm of "hey, this is ABOUT to get interesting."

The story jumps to and fro without much of an explanation, there are no real establishing shots throughout the picture and no words to let you know how much time has elapsed, it's kind of awkward. For instance, the couple leaves Florida for New York; one minute they are sitting out in the Florida sun taking about Spencer's new job and in the next scene, Jillian is walking around a dark, modern apartment. Now intelligence dictates that this is their new apartment in New York but there is no reference until a few scenes later for the audience to confirm this. That is just one minor example to give you without giving too much of the main story away but trust me the audience is left to assume alot instead of having a good in-depth story explain it to you. And you remember what comedian Benny Hill said, "never ASSUME because it makes an ASS out of U and ME."

The film is quite talky and low on action and honest suspense, there are only two special effects scenes (despite what the trailer says) and the finale is not really that well explained. You are left with some questions that if properly answered, with a proper story, would have made the movie far more enjoyable. I left the theatre with a weird taste in my mouth, this wasn't an awful movie, I have definitely seen worse, but it wasn't a good movie either, I have definitely seen better. I guess it's kind of like Jell-O, it looks good and smells kinda good but you don't taste much and you're still hungry after eating it. Maybe if it had some whip cream on it, it would have been better. Come to think of it, I should have had the Chocolate Mousse.

THE ASTRONAUT'S WIFE has so much potential but resigns itself to mediocrity. My suggestion? Save it for video.

	Running Time: ?? Min | Rated R | US Release: August 27th 1999 | More >>

Related 'Astronaut's Wife' Links:

• Official Site
• Final Cut: The Astronaut's Wife
• Ravecentral: The Astronaut's Wife
• Upcomingmovies.com: The Astronaut's Wife

Imagine the face of terror is the one you love.