Brilliant radio astronomer and research specialist Dr Eleanor Arroway (Jodie Foster) firmly believes in extraterrestrial life. So when she receives a message from the star Vega explaining how humble humans can build a spacecraft and go to meet them, she wants to be the first to make “contact”.
Matthew McConaughey plays the religious adviser battling for her soul, while Tom Skerritt and James Woods portray sceptical presidential aides.
The film treats science with genuine respect, portraying discovery as a painstaking process. At the same time, it also challenges science with faith and belief, creating philosophical discussions.
The digital effects are stunning, and director Robert Zemeckis is at home with the action sequences – the climactic scene of Foster’s pod journey features one of the most transcendent performances in all of cinema.
A rather overzealous take on new-age spirituality mars this otherwise impressive adaptation of Carl Sagan’s bestselling novel.
Dr Eleanor ‘Ellie’ Arroway
Jodie Foster Palmer Joss
Matthew McConaughey Dr David Drumlin
Tom Skerritt Rachel Constantine
Angela Bassett SR Hadden
John Hurt Theodore ‘Ted’ Arroway
David Morse Richard Rank
Rob Lowe Kent
William Fichtner Michael Kitz
James Woods Larry King
Himself Jay Leno
Himself Joseph
Jake Busey
Director
Robert Zemeckis
Video
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The film treats science with genuine respect, portraying discovery as a painstaking process. At the same time, it also challenges science with faith and belief, creating philosophical discussions.
