Contagion
Watch Trailer Video Interview with Matt Damon Video Interview with Laurence Fishburne Video Interview with Jennifer Ehle
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Bryan Cranston, Gwyneth Paltrow, John Hawkes, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon
Details: US/106mins/12A
Several narratives are explored, starting with Matt Damon and Gwyneth Paltrow's married couple - the latter of whom is the first carrier of the virus to US soil - as well as members of the Government organisation attempting to contain and cure the breakout. Jude Law is an obnoxious blogger who predicts the fallout; Marion Colltiard attempting to find the source in Japan; and Laurence Fishburne a good man near the top of the food chain trying to make all of the right decisions whilst guiding Kate Winslet in the field
Nobody does globe-trotting like Soderbergh. He's got this unique way of letting people know they're in a different country; his filtered, visual style works perfectly in a story such as Contagion, which is packed with significant characters. While the plot moves briskly, we're naturally drawn to Damon's character because of what he goes through. But the plot continually shifts focus, trying to give proceedings more of an "epic" feel, which is does, but at the sacrifice of character depth.
The film did not need Jude Law, and his sometimes Australian, sometimes English blogger, is utterly grating. He's supposed to be annoying, but time is wasted on him when there were far more worthy subjects.
It's an ensemble piece, so by definition everyone has a supporting role - but Damon really stands out of the pack. His reaction to his wife's death is heartbreaking and further revelations of her secret transgressions even more so. It's a superb performance, but this movie has been made before so it's easy to see why Soderbergh broadened the focus.
Directed with typical panache by one of the most interesting directors of his generation, this is star-packed entertainment and is well worth your time.
Review by Mike Sheridan
Your Comments
ted29
Not a bad film but not a great film either. You dont get a palpable sense of loss or urgency which is unfortunate. Theres a lovely ensemble cast but there is very little character development and thats a major let down. Its presented very realistically and full credit for that but the pacing was just all wrong i felt. Still very much worth going to see though.
Posted 21/10/2011 14:57:16
FilmBuff76
It's not quite the scariest film of the year (I'd nominate Insidious), but Steven Soderbergh's new film is a clinical look at the outbreak of a deadly virus as it spreads from continent to continent, country to country, person to person. In true disaster movie fashion, some of the all-star cast don't make it to the end, but this feels more like a classy and intelligent disaster movie. It certainly made me feel nervous about sitting in a cinema near other people - I suppressed a cough at one stage and was aware of when I touched my face... Things that you take for granted suddenly take on a different perspective. Soderbergh's direction is solid throughout, though some of the subplots (e.g. Marion Cotillard's character in Hong Kong) feel undercooked. Worth seeing, though I'd suggest you get a matinee screening and sit in a quiet part of the cinema... just in case...
Posted 22/10/2011 12:28:53
Tyler Durden
"The film did not need Jude Law" - On the contrary Mike, I thought Law's character was useful as a representative of the 'kooky-crazy homeopathy woo-woo' crowd, and how dangerous they can be (i.e. anti-vaccinations) when a pandemic such as SARS or H1N1 does occur. This character arc is then completed when it is shown he never actually had the virus, and was pushing pure nonsense as a "cure". Excellent ensemble cast, efficient work by Soderbergh, and gripping to watch, defo worth seeing imho.
Posted 24/10/2011 09:38:45
Tyler Durden
"Contagion is always interesting but, hampered by too many competing plots, never quite grinds past third gear. It should, however, be commended for turning a supposed crusading blogger (Jude Law), who promotes homeopathic claptrap, into a fully fledged, moustache-twirling villain." - Donald Clarke (Irish Times).
Posted 25/10/2011 10:47:20
Mike Sheridan
Should I have agreed with Donald, Tyler!? Is that your point? My point is Law never seemed like a heroic figure. My opinion.
Posted 25/10/2011 12:25:45
Tyler Durden
@Mike, I agree. Law's character is never heroic in his actions, as he's a fraud, a scaremonger, and a woo-woo merchant (e.g. Forsythia). That was the *point* of his character (to contrast the CDC/WHO). The reason I pointed out Clarke's quote was that he seemed to get this arc, while you thought Law was somehow superfluous.
Posted 25/10/2011 14:03:33
Mike Sheridan
The movie would've worked better without him, in my opinion. I didn't see a crusading blogger, I saw someone with his own angle from the start.
Posted 25/10/2011 15:48:23
Tyler Durden
@Mike - yes, again I agree. That's the point Elliot Gould made to him re: blogging ("It's not writing. It's just graffiti with punctuation"). In the fight against any pandemic or rational push to vaccinate against disease (i.e. MMR), there will be the 'crazy conspiracy theorist' contingent who spread false rumours, and fight the disease with homeopathy claptrap. Law's character was needed to portray this dangerous, misleading minority... because sometimes they get mainstream airtime (see: Jenny McCarthy on CNN with Larry King).
Posted 25/10/2011 16:27:39
Mike Sheridan
"It's not writing. It's just graffiti with punctuation" Love that line. OK, I just HATE Jude Law. I SAID IT!
Posted 25/10/2011 16:35:23
sr
Offers nothing new to this genre. 5/10 at best considering the hype. Final point as I'm not wasting my time on this film, but with all his money, would J Law not get his teeth done. Looks like he's running for the Irish Presidency.
Posted 27/10/2011 08:35:15
Nicholas
I thought the movie was so so, the story came back weak, the dialogue between the casts was lacking. I thought overall it did not disserve the star's it has received
Posted 28/10/2011 10:28:19
howie
I agreee with Nicholas, the film was ok.I idn't feel it was a thriller, i didn't feel much tension and I don't know why there had to be so many 'stars' in it. the average actor could have played any and all of the roles. Kate Winslett was expressionless throughout.If you don't see it you haven't missed anything.
Posted 30/10/2011 11:24:46
Paul
Edge fo your seat Thriller, enjoyed it, reminded me of Outbreak, and does get you thinking that we can catch anything at anytime with out knowing where it came from..., Fantastic Cast in this movie and well worked Story line, Well Worth a Watch
Posted 09/11/2011 16:49:35
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