Scores high marks for good intentions.

Rating: 7/10 (10 September 2018)

Amy Adams acts her heart out in the role of Louise Banks, a renowned linguist who's recruited by the military when 12 mysterious spacecraft touch down (well, so to speak) in odd spots around the globe. The military hopes to get her to break through to the aliens and determine the nature of this otherworldly visit. Meanwhile, Louise is understandably sombre after having suffered a devastating personal tragedy. Much of the plot hinges on this incredible gift that Louise has, which she will attempt to utilize to avoid disaster.
It's better not to reveal any more about story; some of these details and twists may actually come as unexpected.
At first glance, this seems to be a somewhat different approach to alien "invasion" cinema. It's more intelligent than some entries into the genre, and more subtle, attempting to put a more "realistic" spin on what might happen were the people of Earth to be actually visited by an extraterrestrial intelligence. It's not for people who want action and spectacle. After a while, you do realize that this also a true human-interest drama, perhaps too drawn-out and manipulative to some viewers, but will definitely hit home for any parent who's ever lost a child, and/or had to watch them suffer.
The film co-stars Jeremy Renner, as the scientist with whom Louise will work, Forest Whitaker, as a no-nonsense colonel supervising their efforts, Michael Stuhlbarg, as a CIA agent, and Tzi Ma, as a Chinese general who stirs the pot a bit. But make no mistake: this is almost entirely Amys' show, and her character is worthy of much sympathy and compassion, even if she seems to act senselessly at times.
While "Arrival" is to be commended for concentrating more on human emotions than visual effects, it must be said that the design of the "Heptapods" (affectionately dubbed "Abbott" and "Costello" by Renner) is pretty effective. The other visuals on the alien ship are similarly striking.
Overall, an affecting statement on the beauty of life and the way that the human race perceives things.
Scripted by Eric Heisserer, based on the story "Story of Your Life" by Ted Chiang.
Seven out of 10.