There are hidden questions that the movie didn't try to answer

Rating: 8/10 (27 June 2008)

I've read the book and I've seen the movie and don't want to compare them too much as they both stand alone very well. The movie is 2 hours 23 minutes long and, having watched it for about 10 times, my opinion is that the first hour and 50 minutes are great, but it then goes downhill significantly. What I liked most about the movie were hidden questions that the movie posed - most couldn't have been in the book anyway because of the differences in the plot. I'll ask the questions here and leave you to come up with your own answers.
1. Would Ellie have been so interested in scientific things if she hadn't been brought up by her father without a mother's influence?
2. If Ellie's father had not died while she was still young, would she have been less anti-God?
3. Who looked after Ellie after her father died? Did she become an astronomer with the help of her guardians or in spite of them?
4. Ellie had a forceful personality and a high reputation as a scientist, but she was frequently overruled by men - was this just a sexist thing? How prevalent is such an attitude today?
5. Kent was blind, yet still had a career as an astronomer - a brilliant touch! Would this really be possible in this day and age? - Edited later - After my original posting, noticed in the Trivia section that the character is based on a real-life blind SETI scientist, Kent Cullers. Amazing!