I adore this film. Unlike most of the other Bean films, I can’t count how many times I’ve seen it. In fact, I saw it twice at the cinema, and there’s not many films that I can say that about.

Side note: I read the Andy Weir novel because I loved the film so much, and all I can say is that whoever read that novel and had the vision for the film to be as good as it is was a genius. The book is bad.

• I adore the opening of this film. I love the set up – of Mars, of the astronauts and their relationships, and the fact that Watney is left behind almost immediately.
• I could commentate the entire film, but that would be boring and not the point of this post.
• (Chiwetel Ejiofor!)
• (The use of the video diary format is inspired.)
• And Sean Bean arrives! In a meeting where they’re discussing what on (Mars) Watney is doing with the rover. Hello, Flight Director Mitch.
  • It’s a very boring business suit. What is WITH that vest.
  • And a boring corporate haircut.
  • And he’s already in conflict with the boss, because he wants to tell the Ares crew and the boss doesn’t.
• (Benedict Wong!)
  • (I adore Benedict Wong.)
• Bean doesn’t often get to genuinely laugh in the films I’ve seen. His giggling reaction to Watney’s profanity is adorable.
• Never before have I basically wept for potatoes.
• That brown corduroy jacket, Bean, my goodness. I have no words.
• It’s Bean that questions whether they should cancel the inspections on the probe…
  • and then of course he gets to be the Flight Director when the resupply probe launches.
  • and is second to find out about “shimmy.”
• (Donald Glover!)
• I remain firmly convinced that Sean Bean was cast in this movie solely because of the “Council of Elrond” bit, and because he’s the one to explain to the poor media person what the phrase means.
  • No one will ever convince me otherwise.
  • Ever.
• I find it interesting to see the clash between the NASA Director and the Flight Director – Daniels and Bean – about whether the Ares crew should be told about the possibility of going back to get Watney.
  • Bean is playing a disgruntled corporate dude, rather than a villain, which is a rather different role for him.
• Bean’s disingenuous “it wasn’t meeee” is (deliberately) completely unbelievable.
  • That ARGYLE VEST is wild.
  • This may be Bean’s least fashionably-dressed role ever.
• I love the whole Bean/Wong/Ejiofor scene about turning the MAV into a convertible for Watney’s ascent. Gives us one of the great lines of the movies (“I am excited about the opportunities that affords.”)
• (Beck going hand over hand around the outside of the Hermes with no tether is honestly the bit that makes me feel most anxious in the entire film.)

Verdict: a man stuck in a corporate world where he feels very torn between loyalties and ultimately goes with his gut feeling. Probably makes the right decisions for Watney, definitely the wrong decisions for his career. But hey, at least he doesn’t die, and gets to go play golf afterwards instead.

Movies: 6. Beans dead: 4.