Belief

Rating: 8/10 (11 December 2013)

Robert Zemeckis directed this compelling adaptation of the Carl Sagan novel that stars Jodie Foster as astronomer Ellie Arroway, a woman of science who is obsessed with searching for signs of alien life in the universe. Mathew McConaughey plays religious scholar Palmer Joss, who is a man of faith in God. Both come to center stage when Ellie discovers an alien signal from the star Vega that contains plans for a machine to take the passenger to an unknown destination; presumably the aliens' world, but forces in the government(led by James Woods) are skeptical. After a tragedy involving the first pilot, Ellie is then chosen to journey in the machine, and the destination and aftermath will only further controversy and discussion... Worthy filming of the book is both intelligent and exciting, with superb acting & F/X, and a most thoughtful script that evenly balances the issue of science vs. faith, and the thin line that can exist between them. Fine ending too, that doesn't provide clichés or easy answers.