P-C,

The movie was not long, they could have had a flashback scene or shown him speaking or something. Clearly the budget was on the two megastars' salaries and the special effects.

I don't know how to feel about the fact that....

I see where you're coming from, PC. In a similar vein, I was worried when George got back in the capsule, that it was going to be, oh, she needs a MAN to save her. But then hah, hallucination reveal. (Funny, I know how she feels, I have hallucinations about George Clooney all the time ).

I think the focus on just two main characters was a dramatic and not a budget decision .

Fiona,

I suppose you are right, but the director had a lot of problems finishing this film. I suspect a lot of stuff was left on the editing floor.

Based on the Q&A I was at with Cuaron, I doubt there was ever any intent to show the ground crew or any flashbacks that made it past the script stage. The difficulties finishing the film mostly had to do with the fact that none of the technology they needed to pull it off existed when they started pre-production 4 years ago. And that this film's pre-vis had to be as detailed and polished as most film's final post-production. Barely anything was left on the cutting room floor - anything that was cut was cut before the actors were even brought on board.

On PC's note, another film critic friend of mine mentioned bemusedly on FB that this movie - hard sci-fi with an incredibly strong female lead - fails the Bechdel test, and is now inundated with people responding with "Oh, that's so disappointing." Except, no! It's impossible to say more without spoiling, but it fails the Bechdel test on the incredible technicality that for like 70% of the movie there ARE NO OTHER CHARACTERS AT ALL. She can't have a conversation with another woman because SHE IS ALL ALONE IN MOTHERFUCKING SPACE. In terms of the Bechdel test being a thought experiment to identify movies that tell female stories, this one passes with flying colors.

With regards to the female issue, I thought the "my dad wanted a boy" line was interesting, but don't quite know what to make of it yet.

Fiona, I had the same thought about that other thing too, ha!

fails the Bechdel test

Sure, but it passes the Mako Mori test!

it passes the Mako Mori test!

I wish another "go team female!" test would get big mindshare so more people would stop being so knee jerk...maybe I had to see that sentence typed out to fully appreciate the futility.

As you were!

Jessica,

Thanks for the correction.

Re: Bechdel

People need to get over themselves. I could have done without a backstory element, but the core story has been told so many times from a male perspective. Or from an alien one. This was a welcome approach.

Does the original Alien have any conversations between Ripley and Veronica Cartwright's character that would pass the Bechdel test? Because I would bust out laughing if someone suggested that franchise lacked in the strong, well-drawn female character with agency department.