2011, 12, Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Winslet, Jude Law
Starring: Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Winslet, Jude Law
Steven Soderbergh must have the best casting agent in Hollywood; a few Ocean's films and the upcoming Haywire provides proof of the credible casts his films contain. Unsurprisingly, Contagion is no different. Not only this, but the skilled helmer is so content with his efforts that he has no trouble killing one off before the film’s barely begun. Gwyneth Paltrow is the unfortunate would-be heroine who, after returning home from a business trip to husband Matt Damon with suspicious flu-like symptoms, dies (in a scene so shrouded in domesticity that you will be left feeling numb). And so it is, a global pandemic is under way as the unseen contagious and very deadly virus infects anybody within reach, and we bear witness to certain strands of action: Damon attempting to deal with the sudden loss of loved ones; Laurence Fishburne and Kate Winslet as scientists attempting to contain the inescapable virus; Jude Law, a goofy blogger (yep, you read that right) attempting to stir up a conspiracy. It's full-on stuff from the outset.
In terms of dread, Soderbergh nails it, whether this be through the use of captionsto locate and inform us as to how many inhabitants are at risk, crucially using population figures, or the camera shots that linger on door handles and drinking glasses for just the right amount of time in order to highlight the presence of something you cannot see. Yes, a true sense of danger is present in such a way that most horror films aim for, and usually fail. Which is where the A-list cast aid what could have been a generic B-movie outing. All of the aforementioned, not to mention Marion Cotillard, John Hawkes and Jennifer Ehle - add to the worry that any of the characters these actors portray could die at any moment. In other words, all bets are bloody off. It has to be said however that the plot strands flit just a bit too frequently, and in some cases investment proves tough - whilst in others, more exploration is required leaving a particular character’s climax invariably rushed (thoughts go out to you, Marion).
All in all though, Contagion is better than it had any right to be. Cliff Martinez's thrilling, pulsating score tracks the palpable fear that the virus is inevitably going to engulf you, ensuring that once the film has ended, a simple action like, say, coughing will be a much more different experience than normal...
3.5/5
In terms of dread, Soderbergh nails it, whether this be through the use of captionsto locate and inform us as to how many inhabitants are at risk, crucially using population figures, or the camera shots that linger on door handles and drinking glasses for just the right amount of time in order to highlight the presence of something you cannot see. Yes, a true sense of danger is present in such a way that most horror films aim for, and usually fail. Which is where the A-list cast aid what could have been a generic B-movie outing. All of the aforementioned, not to mention Marion Cotillard, John Hawkes and Jennifer Ehle - add to the worry that any of the characters these actors portray could die at any moment. In other words, all bets are bloody off. It has to be said however that the plot strands flit just a bit too frequently, and in some cases investment proves tough - whilst in others, more exploration is required leaving a particular character’s climax invariably rushed (thoughts go out to you, Marion).
All in all though, Contagion is better than it had any right to be. Cliff Martinez's thrilling, pulsating score tracks the palpable fear that the virus is inevitably going to engulf you, ensuring that once the film has ended, a simple action like, say, coughing will be a much more different experience than normal...
3.5/5
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