Source Code is fun, interesting, gripping, unpredictable, and even a tiny bit moving. It tackles a dream-like netherworld similar to last year’s Inception, but Source Code does it so much better! I’m not sure Source Code is the kind of film I would return to again and again, but it is very enjoyable the first time through.

What distinguishes Source Code from other modern movies of this type is the way the narrative unfurls and maintains its cohesion to the very end of the story. The science behind the story is treated in a “don’t ask and don’t think about it too much” way, sort of like Inception, but the difference is that here it matters much less because the science just frames the human drama that is the real story. The film is like a murder mystery, but it’s also a film about mortality and making decisions in life (it’s not super deep on these last two topics, but it’s not embarrassingly shallow either). And not everything is spelled out at a second-grade level like today’s comic book thriller movies – you have to wait to discover what the deal is with Jake Gyllenhaal and the mission, and the details are skillfully doled out in the context of the developing story, slowly and provocatively. The excellent story pacing is made even more effective by Vera Farmiga’s easy and supremely confident acting as the military go-between for Jake and his mysterious mission – if you ever wanted evidence of how great an actress she is, check out what she manages to do with this highly limited, “nothing” role. It’s really something, in my estimation.

There are so many examples in current movies of thrillers like this where they do nothing more than dress up the basic story idea, cue the CGI action sequences and leave it at that. Inception is the most stark example from last year, but take SALT, for another example: a CIA special agent is a sleeper mole for the Russians who is awakened in front of her CIA peers. A good story idea, to be sure, but that’s as far as it goes: cue two hours of senseless chase scenes and forget developing anything else for the rest of the film. Source Code never does this. Somehow, despite all the action and the technological plot points, the story comfortably sits at the level of everyday human action and emotion. It reminded me a little of that fantastic little move from 2000, Memento – it’s not as good or as interesting as Memento, but they are similar in terms of this low-key human quality, and the quality of the pacing of the narrative.

I should add that Jake Gyllenhaal is absolutely fantastic in this role, and I’ve already mentioned how great Vera Farmiga is in her much more limited role. Michelle Monaghan is very effective as the cute girl sitting across from Jake on the train.

The only quibble I have with the movie is the very end – I didn’t think it was necessary, but at the same time it did not ruin the movie for me. I should also mention that the bit right before the very end, which I feel would have been a much more effective ending, was really strong – the way the Michelle Monaghan character is finally explained was a lovely piece of writing.

I highly recommend Source Code if you are in the mood for a smart, interesting, dignified, and above-all human sci-fi thriller. It’s a really good time at the movies!