Why is Project Hail Mary Having Such an Impact?
So far Project Hail Mary is doing very well in the theatres and is getting a great response from audiences. But why? Beyond the special effects and the star power of Ryan Gosling, is there something about this movie that is touch hearts?
Read my Review of Project Hail Mary.
Reckless Hope
The concept of a Hail Mary is that of a risky move because of a desperate separation, hoping against hope that the unlikely success will appear. In the case of this movie, all life on Earth is at risk. We find out that other planets with life are also at risk.
Project Hail Mary (the attempt, not the actual movie) did not have much hope of figuring out what was happening or how to stop the draining of the sun. The three person crew, cut down to one after two die during the trip, do not have much hope. Even when there are two characters working on it, things still look very uncertain.
But there is hope. Hope in the face of dire circumstances but hope.
People today are desperate for hope. I cannot remember a time in recent memory when there was more bad news. There is more uncertainty today than for a long time, certainly since the end of the Cold War. Audiences resonate with hope.
Removing the Mask
I think people identify with Ryan Gosling’s character because he is real. He is not a fearless hero with all the answers. He is a person who is afraid and who has doubts. His weaknesses are on display and we learn more about this as the movie goes on.
But he keeps on going.
Sure we enjoy the John Wicks and Jason Bournes and the Jack Reachers who can do anything. But it is nice to see someone who does not wear the mask of invincibility. We see a real person who is no greater than we are.
Working Together
We tend to idolize the lone ranger, the hero who can do it all on their own. Project Hail Mary is about two figures working together. Neither Grace nor Rocky could have solved their problem on their own. Only by working together could they save their planets.
While we like hearing about the solo heroes, I think deep down we long for meaningful relationships. Not just friends to chit chat with but people that we can work with to achieve a common goal.
Life is not just about the individual. It is about the community, even when that community is only two. Project Hail Mary is one of the best examples of the “buddy movie.” We can laugh at and learn from their relationship, as they annoy one another but also sacrifice for each other.
Project Hail Mary works, not just as science fiction entertainment, but as a movie that touches very real longings within us. It is because of these things that hearts are being touched.
