I LOVE THIS FILM!!!!! Probably Spoilers!

Rating: Null/10 (16 November 2004)

I first saw this film when my physics teacher was trying to find a way to a) use up the last few lessons of term & b)explain as to whether there is/could be life somewhere else in the universe.
I've always believed that there is life on other planets, or indeed that the life from other planets may have come to this planet, but hey that's a random theory of mine. So when watching this film all the way through I could get involved in it & I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This film follows a scientist from her childhood to the height of her professional career. The story is about her discovery that another planet is trying to contact us & her struggle to convince the world to let her do something with this discovery. The story also goes off on tangents following the conflict between the scientific & religious view points & as a fairly religious person myself I found I could relate to this.
I found it extremely easy to relate to Ellie (played by Jodie Foster) & was rooting for her all the way through. The film does have a rather complex storyline & trys to cover all different aspects as well as creating the classic romance every good film should have, but by no means do you have to be a scientist to follow it-I certainly am not.
The films lasts just under 2 & a half hour by my reckoning & i loved almost every minute of it. It certainly keeps you in suspense & i was waiting with baited breath as each new scene began. The only problem with this film is a slightly pointless scene towards the end with her "dad" it kind of takes the emphasis away from the main storyline, but the actual ending of the film is great & it leaves you to make your own mind up about what actually happened.
I really felt for Ellie throughout this film & it was hard not to cry as I saw her going through such turmoil. It was so easy to forget what was going on around me & just get absorbed in the film, it left me thinking for ages afterwards. This film in my opinion has something for everybody-action, romance & a thoughtful aspect to it. I really, really enjoyed it & can't wait to see it again, a must see if you have a few hours to spare.