Its very Hollywood but raises some interesting questions nonetheless

Rating: 7/10 (4 December 2007)

"Contact" tackles a subject hard to make entertaining whilst retaining much intellectual credibility. I think anyone will admit, for this film to work you may have to temporarily place your cynicism aside and just go along for the ride. The central theme in this film is not to explore the scientific possibilities of time or space travel, but question of faith.
The plot and acting itself is quite strong across the board. (Ellie) Jodie Foster gives a passionate performance, as the minority scientists with an unrelenting dream of making contact with another intelligence. McConaughey gives an adequate support role, as the contrasting personality to Foster, someone who believes in faith and in God. James Woods plays the typically cynical military officer. Finally, upon Ellie and her team receiving a convoluted message from intergalactic entity, a media frenzy ensues and ultimately the question of other life in the universe and other ethical consequences are explored. There is numerous cameo appearances from Hollywood celebrities which add to the authenticity of the film. As such this film does veer off and become cheesy and unrealistic at times, but I don't think the film could have worked if it hadn't.
The film provides more questions than answers, and rightly so. Ultimately, whether you believe in God or science, "Contact" proposes that faith is required to believe in both. As science's criticism of religion has been the lack of empirical evidence, it is posed that empirical or tangible evidence is not the currency that makes something true. Science requires the belief in something which cannot be proved, just as religion does. What I took from this film is that we should tolerate each-other's beliefs, no matter how far-fetched they may be from our own perspective.
Iroically, the film seems to set out proving the importance of making contact with an ET, but we learn that is more important to make contact with each-other.
Worthwhile.