The set-up:

It is the near future. The earth is drying up. Widower Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), former astronaut cum corn grower and his family watch their vast crop slowly wither. His family, including father-in-law (John Lithgow) and two kids worry about a very bleak future.

What to do?

One day Cooper drives his large, tandem wheeled pickup into a remote corner of the cornfield and stumbles upon a secret government installation. He goes inside and meets the eminent astrophysicist, Professor Brand (Michael Caine), who thinks very big indeed. To save humanity, Brand and his team are searching for a habitable planet. But none are close by, as in thousands of light years distant.

What to do?

No problem, says the professor. I've checked and rechecked my equations! And, by the way, there are eleven other expeditions already out there. We need to see who among them has succeeded. To span the great distance in a reasonable time, you will traverse a wormhole. And, conveniently, there just happens to be one not too far away. But, says the professor, we need an experienced pilot like you to lead the mission.

What to do?

A devoted father, Cooper is torn by this opportunity, not wanting his kids to feel abandoned. But to save humanity, he'll go, and vows to return, placating himself if not the kids.

Lift off:

Cooper and crew, including (surprise) the professor's beautiful daughter, Dr. Brand (Anne Hathaway,) begin a long and dangerous interstellar adventure... Back on earth his kids, true to form, begin to wonder whether he has abandoned them.

What happens next? Lots of suspense, astronaut jargon and cgi that will entertain most, at least at first. But this space ride has just begun, and the story, hinging on rather abstract astrophysical theory, may be become just a tad difficult to fathom, unless you've been to Cal Tech summer camp. But let's suppose you don't care about understanding the story and simply enjoy immersion in the mystery of cool science and thrill of a great movie ride in space. So, you sit tight and go through the wormhole, sweating the experience alongside Cooper and Dr. Brand. And, beyond.

Although still very cool, suspenseful and thrilling, you are now in for a long. long ride.

The producers, writers, actors and others have invested considerable creative energy, time, and money in making this movie, paying special attention to getting the space physics right, but perhaps at the expense of something far more basic: getting the movie physics right. An enjoyable three hour movie requires a cosmic leap in attention span, especially when combined with a complicated story line.

So, one of two experiences await you: clever, cosmic yarn or deep space yawn.

Unfortunately, to find out, you will have to see the movie. Bon voyage!