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Produced by Tom DeLongue of the alt-rock group Angels and Airwaves, Love is a stunning picture that’s been making a lasting impression along the festival circuit. Making its Toronto premiere at the After Dark Film Festival, the film delivered on all fronts, including striking imagery and a resounding soundtrack.

In 2039, the first astronaut to enter space in 20 years makes himself home on the International Space Station. However, when he suddenly and permanently loses contact with Earth, Captain Lee Miller (Gunner Wright) must try to ensure he maintains his sanity in the total isolation of space. Meanwhile, a parallel story is told about the civil war and human experiences are shared through memories.

The most common praise the film receives is that it’s aesthetically beautiful. Writer/director William Eubank created a replica of the International Space Station in his oversized backyard that is visually flawless. Also, the civil war scenes appear authentic and packed with multiple explosions. The memories are the most real of the scenes, depicting everyday life and the moments that make us human.

The second accolade must go to the film’s score, composed by Angels and Airwaves, which was founded by Blink 182’s DeLongue. The lavish soundtrack created specifically for the film is entrancing. The music supports the emotion of each scene, by matching it rather than guiding it. The melodic instruments and heart-like beat are enchanting.

In the same vein as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Moon and The Fountain, Love takes audiences on a very personal yet universal journey exploring the meaning of life. With Miller, the effects of isolation and the absence of human connection are presented, while the civil war represents the opposite of human connection as men fight and kill each other. The memory sequences are part of an archive of humanity that explore relationships, our need for human connection and the lack of control we experience at one time or another. These interview scenes are touching and the most relatable of the film.

The scenes inside the space station are intriguing. At the start, Miller’s spirits are high and he’s proud to have been chosen for the mission. The first loss of contact inspires a flurry of action to fix the problem. But as more time passes, his efforts turn to conservation and maintenance. Finally, desperation pushes him towards a final desperate act.

Love is a picture deserving of the hype it’s received thus far, living up to and even exceeding expectations in some respects.