The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005)

Garth Jennings - Director

Douglas Adams – Writer (books)

Martin Freeman, Sam Rockwell, Mos Def, Zooey Deschanel

It has always been a bit of a mystery as to how a day can be officially declared a holiday, and for that matter, who is given the lofty responsibility of making these vital decisions. For example, the city of San Francisco recently declared May 18th a holiday to honor her highness, the “Princess of Pop”, Britney Spears. Now I am all for celebrating and remembering those most significant in our culture and I am especially for a day off from school or work. And really, if ol’ MLK and Lincoln and Washington can have their days, why not Britney! But, back to the issue at hand. In the tradition of key days of remembrance and celebration, most recently, May 25^th was declared National Towel Day in honor of brilliant author, creative genius and slightly strange duck, Douglas Adams. So in my own personal tribute to the late writer, let me introduce (or reintroduce) one of his most celebrated works, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, or rather, its stunningly imaginative film adaptation.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide follows hapless earthling, Arthur Dent (Freeman), as his world is suddenly and irrevocably shifted when his home planet is unceremoniously destroyed to make way for an intergalactic interstate byway. Rescued by his best friend, Ford Prefect, a researcher for The Guide who became stranded on earth (brilliantly portrayed by Mos Def), the two set off on cross (well, zigzag more like)-galaxy voyage as they search for the Meaning of Life, The Universe, and Everything. Along the way, the two encounter the most varied array of life forms imaginable, including the foul and vicious Vogon bureaucrats, beautiful and brilliant Trillian (Deschanel), the charismatic Galactic President (Rockwell), Marvin, his loyal but manic depressive robot, and the smartest, and most underestimated, creatures in the universe.

Directed by Garth Jennings, it fully realizes the tone of its literary ancestor and incorporates the most essential plot points, yet is not a slave to simply making images and sounds out of words. Perhaps the first clue that the film would take some liberties with the book is the opening musical number, fully crafted out of a mere reference by Adams. “So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish” sets the tone at once for the fantastical and extraordinary adventures to come while also creating an almost relatable atmosphere. Almost. Rather that perhaps a “space move” that keeps its audience at an arm’s distance, Arthur’s longing for his lost home, Ford and Beeblebrox’s insatiable need for adventure and really cool things, and even Marvin’s perpetual state of apathy at his own wasted talents seem relatable. Not to mention hilarious.

With an all star cast including Alan Rickman as Marvin, the Paranoid Android, and Bill Nighy as a genius planetary architect, the film is a fantastic romp through the space, time, and the utterly improbable. And for all those literary snobs who say a movie can never live up to a book, prepare to be blown away.