Though September is usually the last month one would expect to find a star-studded thriller of high quality, Contagion had all the makings of a theatrical juggernaut. Individually, each member of the ensemble cast has been insanely successful both critically and commercially, boasting a significant fan-base, while several have Academy Awards attached to their names (Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, and Gwyneth Paltrow). Another big selling-point for Contagion is its Academy Award – winning director, as Steven Soderbergh has proven adept in handling both serious dramas (Erin Brockovich, Traffic) and light-hearted comedy blockbusters (the Ocean’s Eleven series). If there was one question mark concerning Contagion, it involved the wisdom of releasing a film about a global pandemic tragedy so close to the anniversary of September 11th, especially when theater attendance is notoriously low during this time of year. Still, promotions for this newest disaster film were prevalent and early critical reaction was strong, so I had high hopes walking into the theater.
Intense and genuinely scary, Contagion plays to very prevalent fears in a stylish and energetic way that is sure to fully ensnare audiences. Each member of the cast delivers a passionate and memorable performance, the standouts being Matt Damon as the worried father and Kate Winslet as the idealistic epidemic investigator. With no set protagonist, the film jumps between several independent story lines connected by the same tragedy, and the end result keeps the narrative from getting too stale at any one point. Unfortunately, with so many different stories being put forward at once, a number of questions arise, and the film tragically ends leaving one too many issues unresolved. Such a shortcoming really is a shame, but it is not enough to overshadow the fact that the actors, director, and script all came together to shine an intense spotlight on human nature in a time of tragedy and genuine fear, and for that, Contagion is an absolute must-see.
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Overall Recommendation: Very High
