Duncan Jones’s 2011 sci-fi thriller “Source Code” revealed a thematic continuity from his debut film “Moon.” His movies search for humanity within the fantastical realms of science. While in essence most all science fiction is just that, Jones does so with a philosopher’s gumption.
With “Moon” Jones explored how identity could be violated through a harvested clone, played by Sam Rockwell. In an intimate story, “Moon” questioned the very nature of what it means to be human if cloned. With “Source Code” he superimposes this philosophical question of identity over the idea of alternate, or multiple universes.
Reviews labeled “Source Code” as a thrilling, yet confusing film, which forewarn unsuspecting audiences, but conceptually it’s nothing new to cinema. Alternate realities go back as far as Frank Capra’s “It’s A Wonderful Life,” the difference being that angels like Clarence evolved into scientific theories. A list of comparisons to “Source Code” are plentiful: “Groundhog Day,” “Frequency,” “12 Monkeys,” “Sliding Doors,” “Run Lola Run,” “The Butterfly Effect.” Of course “Donnie Darko” as well, which starred Jake Gyllenhaal who is the heart of “Source Code.” It was Gyllenhaal who championed Ben Ripley’s “Source Code” script into the hands of Duncan Jones.
Gyllenhaal plays a …
