Jake Gyllenhaal stars opposite Michelle Monaghan in "Source Code"

What Would You Do if You Could Change the Past?

Soldier, Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal, “Love and Other Drugs” 2010) abruptly awakens on a Chicago commuter train one day and has no idea his life is about to change just as abruptly.

Sitting across from a beautiful brunette (Michelle Monaghan, “Due Date” 2010) and surrounded by other train passengers, Stevens tries to make sense of everything. His paranoid eyes dart around capturing every bit of movement on the train. Last he remembers he was on a mission in Iraq flying a helicopter. Now, he can’t even recognize the woman sitting across from him who is talking to him as if they had just been in deep conversation. This woman, named Christina, calls him Sean. Stevens says with aggravation, “I don’t know who Sean is and I don’t know who you are.” Suddenly, a bomb explodes…and everyone is dead.

“Welcome back Captain Stevens,” a voice emerges from an isolation chamber where Stevens, wearing his military flight suit, is belted to a seat, looking up at countless wires and a computer screen. Mission controller, Colleen Goodwin (Vera Farmiga) calmly asks a series of memory questions and much to his surprise, Stevens knows the answers. He doesn’t know the answer to his whereabouts, however. An utterly confused Stevens pleads with Goodwin to get some type of resolve. His determination pays off, but only briefly. Stevens discovers he is part of a top-secret government computer program that allows him to enter into someone else’s body for the last 8 minutes of their life. He is inside the Source Code.

Stevens must relive Steven Fentress’ last 8 minutes of life on the Chicago bound train that exploded earlier that morning, killing everyone on board. Goodwin informs Stevens there will be another attack in 6 hours. Only if he finds the bomber will he be able to prevent the future attack. Goodwin continually asks Stevens, “Remember back, who bombed the train?” Stevens, beyond frustrated, must continually repeat the same 8-minute train experience until he uncovers the bomber. Each experience reveals new clues and the audience is (literally) taken on a wild ride.

Director, Duncan Jones (“Moon” 2009), takes a minimal setting and creates a challenging, innovative and suspenseful film. Gyllenhaal, Monaghan and Farmiga all deliver in their roles. Audiences connect with Gyllenhaal right from the start as we are all on the same, confused page. Who is on whose side? Not only is he trying to find a bomber in 8 minutes, but he also has some unfinished business to take care of in that same time frame. This allows us to grow even closer to his character throughout the film. Monaghan plays her intelligent, genuine and very likable character to a tee. Farmiga plays a serious, play-by-rules, unemotional character, but this changes as the film progresses.

Bottom Line? This unique storyline takes audiences places they’ve never been before. If you are prone to motion sickness, please, let me forewarn you, this is not a ‘kick back and put your feet up’ type of flick. This fast-paced thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Are you a Chicagoan? If so, you will love the birds eye views of the city! The film also takes us to Chicago's beautiful Millennium Park, home of the notable sculpture, “The Bean.”

Jessica Aymond © April 1, 2011