Triumph for Jodie Foster

Rating: 10/10 (18 June 2006)

This film is a winner.
Not so much because of the script though; in the first place it was dumbed down a very long way from Dr Sagan's reasonably intelligent novel. And then on top of that it was given the usual schmaltzy, cheesy Hollywood treatment so as to hit the usual demographics.
No, the reason the film made such an impact on me was the absolutely stunning performance from Jodie Foster. At any given moment you knew exactly what she was feeling, even when ambiguous or conflicted.
The scene when she enters the capsule is particularly precious. She looks and sounds absolutely terrified even when desperately trying to keep a lid on her panic and sound professional on the intercom.
You rarely see acting of that quality in a Hollywood movie, especially in an "effects" movie intended for big box office.