One of my favorites of the 1990's

Rating: 10/10 (7 June 2008)

I will go a step further and say this is one of my favorite movies ever. I found it though-provoking, awe-inspiring, deep, thoughtful, analytical, and powerful. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster) is a young, gifted scientist who is eager in finding the proof of extra-terrestrial life. This has been her ambition since the death of her father. She cannot fathom a universe so big without any other life, considering it a "waste of space." Palmer Joss (Matthew McConaughey) is a religious leader who crosses paths with her. Ironically, while he believes in God, Ellie is an atheist and demands proof of the existence of everything. At odds with Ellie is Dr. David Drumlin (Tom Skerrit) who keeps pulling the funding from Ellie's crusade. He eventually becomes the White House Adviser on Science. Suddenly, Ellie finds the proof she has been looking for. A definite signal comes from the star, Vega, which is roughly 26 light-years from Earth. They apparently intercepted a signal, then sent it back with their own schematics for a device that will likely transport someone somewhere. The White House takes over this project, and several nations join to build the massive device. Of course, Ellie wants to go, but vying for the honor are several others and she must compete. Then, the politics begin. The politics behind building and technology rights, who will go, and who will implement public policy. Some people expect hostile aliens, others consider them friends, and many people see it as the ultimate religious experience. I like this movie for so many reasons. At the outset is the politicking that goes on. It mirrors what the real world would be like if such a thing would happen. This leads to the wonderful acting that goes along with it. We all know the over-zealous pragmatist Mr. Kitz (James Wood), the level-headed White House Chief of Staff (Angela Bassett), the conservative religious leader Richard Rank (Rob Lowe), and the wise and insightful Kent (William Ficthner). We know a grand-stander and opportunist like Drumlin (Skerritt). What pushes this movie over the top, though, is the direction of Robert Zemickis. This is undoubtedly his best movie to date, even outshining his previous effort, Forest Gump. He adapts Carl Sagan's novel into a tour-de-force that not only lets us see how our society would truly react to such a thing, but also the dire consequences. He casts enough story, doubt, and confusion to make us wonder what really happened ... until the end. It also delivers a subtle, powerful message without being preachy or over-the-top. I left the movie theater awe-struck in a deep, profound way. I was scared, nervous, and moved. I have contended Contact was sorely over-looked in the Academy Awards because of the entertaining but over-hyped Titanic. It should have been nominated for best picture. Too bad. It was truly majestic ... and my favorite picture of 1997.