Are we alone in this universe?

In an attempt to answer that question, the scientists in NASA have launched a Satellite called TESS ( The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) with a mission to find Earth 2.0 and planets outside our solar system. TESS mission also includes finding exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. TESS launched three years ago, and since it's found, TESS has cataloged 4,352 exoplanets in 3,221 systems while a further 5,765 candidates await confirmation, according to Universe Today. The same year after TESS was launched, a romance Sci-fi movie was released under the title Clara. This science-fiction movie gives a spin on answering our collective existential question with spirituality.

Dr. Issac Bruno, played by Patrick J Adams, is an astronomer and astrophysicist professor passionate about finding Earth 2.0. He spends his time obsessing over finding the potential planet in the hope of discovering life. His obsession caused him to jeopardize his career. He was constantly getting complaints from his students from the last two years. Eventually, he got suspended from the university and was stripped from access to the TESS telescope and its data. In his desperation, he was searching for an unpaid assistant in exchange for a room. There was no application yet one night; he found a woman and her dog, that wants to be his assistant.

Clara, played by Troian Bellisario, is a nomadic girl who travels the world by selling her painting. She carries crystal stones and believes that there is a bridge between science and spirituality. Despite having little education, especially and not even a post-secondary level, she convinced Bruno that she learns quickly. Eventually, Clara got the position. Shortly after, they work together in discovering Earth 2.0. In the process, Clara falls in love with Bruno, and she found the tragedy that happened to him. As for Bruno, their interaction helps him explores another part of life as he was always obsessed with data and objectivity.

Clara is another Space science fiction that pairs a man from a STEM background with a woman from Art or Literature background. I have yet to watch the reserve background in this type of Sci-Fi. So, if you do, let me know in the comment section. This movie received an award from Austin Film Festival in 2018 and is directed by a young talented director, Akash Sherman, who was only around 23 when the movie was released. Clara received mixed reviews from movie reviewers. It has some flaws, yet effectively captures it effectively captures Isaac's depression as he searches for meaning in his broken life, as written by Alex Hudson for Exclaim. I tend to agree. If you are looking for hard science fiction, this isn't the movie. Esentially, this movie centers around the question of existence and finding meaning in life with Science-fiction as the main object that helps driving the plot.

There are some conversations and scenes that attempt to bridge science with a holistic approach to answer existence. In some scenes of this movie, Clara was having a flash-back as if she was in another universe. Not to mention, Clara teaches Bruno to close his eyes in a guided meditation-like while he was standing in front of data from TESS while attempting to find the new Earth 2.0. Bruno was stunned when he could see the new Earth 2.0 and was even more stunned at the end of the movie as he received a message from Alien in the form of morse code and audio files.

I find this movie to be somewhat enjoyable. It definitely adds up to my doomer watch list. I specifically enjoy how they try to capture the idea of filling the void in life after a significant loss or tragedy. Isacc Bruno somehow captures a picture of a depressed person, especially in some scenes there was some comparison between his old vs. current life. The colors of his old life were cheerful, while his present life was mute. Even with Clara, the scenes were still dominated with subtle colors, indicating that he is still the same. But by the end of the movie, it was a bit brighter. If you are searching for the meaning of life and are recovering from a loss or tragedy, this movie gives a bit of perspective. I would give this 3 out of 5 as I think this movie could have been so much better exploring more about Clara and Bruno relationship as they come from two different contrasting worlds.