Andromaeda Strain. Silent Running.

If seeing the names of those two great but slow-moving science fiction movies has you yawning, don’t bother with Contact. For those of us who like our sci-fi to be thought provoking as much as we like them filled with action, read on.


The film starts with an admittedly over-long and silent intro skimming through space (after a short burst of TV transmission at the start with the picture panning away from earth). The significance of this is made clear later in the film.

Then we skip to young Eleanor Arroway talking to her father and beginning to develop an interest in amateur radio and astronomy. Combining the two she finds her career, and a very successful one it is too – apart from the fact that she determinedly keeps pursuing the unfashionable field of SETI (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence). However she keeps going despite closure of projects and refusal of funding, until one day she finds what she’s looking for – a message from the stars… Assisted by her blind colleague Kent, she begins to make sense of the message...

She also meets a self-styled priest (left divinity studies because he couldn’t cope with the idea of celibacy!), who forms a romantic attachment to her – but she feels that he, or at least his ideology, is the diametric opposite to her own. His mission is a search for truth and pointing out the technological advances haven’t produced greater happiness or understanding for humankind. Scientist David Drummlin is initially opposed to Eleanor’s work but isn’t averse to trying to get in on the act later on… Extremist religious groups want to stop the message from being decoded… Then we have the government and military getting involved, as it’s believed that the message from the stars may not be benign. On top of all this there is an incredibly wealthy, morally questionable, very eccentric, and quite possibly mad and totally elusive (if you were looking for him) man called S.R. Hadden…

Despite all of the above there isn’t much actual action in the movie, which is the reason for my first statement in the review. However there is plenty in the movie that makes you think. The main theme studied here is that of faith and belief – interestingly, it shows that both science and religion require an element of faith in things not yet proven. The theme is handled skilfully though a touch heavy-handedly at times, but there is certainly enough thought-provoking material here to make watching Contact not only an enjoyable but also rewarding experience. The few action sequences are very well executed and the special effects, though sparsely used, are terrific.

The cast is also excellent, with spot-on performances by Matthew McConaughey as Palmer Joss, the self-styled preacher, and John Hurt as the eccentric Hadden. Jodie Foster is good as Eleanor though towards the end I felt her performance lost its effectiveness somewhat, while Skerritt was effective as David Drummlin. The supporting cast did well, especially William Fichtner as Kent. The musical score by Alan Silvestri was perfectly suited to the film. Where Contact perhaps struggled slightly was with the script, that built up to a finale that didn’t really satisfy. Pretty good, but it just seemed rather a let down considering the lead up. Also it was perhaps just slightly too long for what it was trying to do. Still, a fine film for those who like their sci-fi on the thoughtful side – if that describes you, you won’t be disappointed by Contact.


Other Details

MPAA: Rated PG for some intense action, mild language and a scene of sensuality.

Runtime: 153 min

Director: Robert Zemerkis

Based on a novel by Astronomer Carl Sagan.


Related Links

Top Ten Science Fiction Movies


Robert Zemerkis also directed Romancing the Stone, and Cast Away.

William Fichtner was in Drowning Mona

Tom Skerrit was in Top Gun

Matthew McConaughey was in Sahara and The Wedding Planner.

Recommended:
Yes