The Astronaut's Wife

Despite it's aura of familiarity, The Astronaut's Wife initially seems like a promising piece of adult suspense. Charlize Theron (adding a Mia Farrow-circa-Rosemary's Baby hairstyle to the character she played in The Devil's Advocate) stars as the titular spouse, whose husband (Johnny Depp) returns from a shuttle mission just a bit...different. Everything about Rand Ravich's script and direction aims for an ever-mounting sense of menace; as narrative, however, everything feels slightly off. Transitions between scenes are awkward and abrupt, key bits of exposition turn up late or not at all and the story feels like it's being played far too straight. Most disappointing, Ravich keeps building the film as though the plight of the characters will matter, when ultimately they don't mean a thing. The slick look of the film is nearly enough--along with Theron's haunted stares--to make it linger in your mind for a little while, but after you get through admiring the style, all you're left with is empty space. Not recommended. (S. Renshaw)