Watch Far Side of the Moon

Far Side of the Moon is a captivating psychological drama directed and co-written by renowned Canadian theater artist Robert Lepage. The film explores themes of loneliness, sibling rivalry, and the futility of human obsession against the backdrop of the 1998 Russia space mission to the moon. The story centers around two estranged brothers, Philippe and André, who are grappling with the recent loss of their mother. Philippe (played by Lepage himself) is a struggling graduate student in comparative literature, who's researching the significance of the cold war space race on American culture. Meanwhile, André (played by Marco Poulin) is a successful weatherman, who's trying to get a job presenting the weather for the space mission that his brother is so obsessed with.

The movie is divided into two parts, each focusing on one brother's perspective. The first half follows Philippe, who's lonely, introverted, and struggling to connect with his fellow humans. He's haunted by the memory of his mother, who's palpable absence drives him deeper into a state of depression. Philippe's fragile grip on reality is further complicated by his obsession with the moon and the idea of space travel, which becomes a metaphor for his longing for escape from his earthly troubles.

The second half of the movie shifts to André's perspective, revealing a stark contrast to his brother's isolation. Unlike Philippe, André is outgoing, extroverted, and confident. He's more pragmatic and career-oriented, focusing on getting ahead in his professional life at the expense of personal relationships. As the space mission draws nearer, André becomes increasingly consumed with the desire to be the best weatherman he can be and prove his worth to his superiors.

The two brothers couldn't be more different, both in their personalities and their outlook on life. However, their respective journeys lead them to confront their own demons and come to terms with each other. Along the way, the film touches on themes of grief, brotherhood, and the emptiness of technology. Lepage expertly weaves in archival footage of the Russia space mission and American pop culture from the era alongside his own unique brand of theatrical innovation.

At its core, Far Side of the Moon is a character study that examines the human condition with a rare blend of humor, pathos, and intellectual curiosity. The film title comes from the idea of the far side of the moon, which remains forever hidden from Earth's view. In many ways, the characters in the movie are just like that- both Philippe and André are struggling to hide their true selves from the world, and each other. Through their respective journeys, they come to recognize that, ultimately, human connection and empathy are the only things that can truly save them.

Overall, Far Side of the Moon is a visually stunning and thought-provoking meditation on the human experience. Its poignant themes and engaging storyline make it a must-watch for anyone who's interested in introspective dramas that delve deep into the psyche.

Far Side of the Moon is a 2003 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 76.