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Contagion Movie Review

Name: Contagion Movie Review
Item: Contagion
Rating: 3.5
Author: Smitha Joseph

Written by

Review for the film " Contagion"

Streaming On: Jio Cinema

Runtime: 01 Hour 46 Minutes

Certificate: UA

Released: 09-09-2011

Genre: Drama, Thriller, Sci Fi

Similar To: First Cow, Write When You Get Work, Wendy, The Man With The Iron Heart

Critic Review
User Review

3.5 / 5.0

3.60 / 5.0

CAST & CREW

Lupita Nyong O

Gregory Jacobs

MORE CAST & CREW

Producer:

Michael Shamberg

Stacey Sher

Gregory Jacobs

Editor:

Stephen Mirrione

Writer:

Scott Z. Burns

Composer:

Cliff Martinez

Director:

Steven Soderbergh

Others:

Lupita Nyong O

Click Here For Full Cast & Crew

Contagion Click to look into! >> Read More... is a science fiction thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh. Scott Z Burns has written the script for this film. Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher, and Gregory Jacobs Gregory Jacobs is an American film and television >> Read More... are the co-producers of this film. This film has been distributed under the banner of Warner Bros. Pictures. Peter Andrews is the cinematographer, while Stephen Mirrione is the editor of this film. This film has an ensemble cast of Marion Cotillard Marion Cotillard is a French singer, actor, song c >> Read More... , Matt Damon He’s known to be the “Hollywood Golden Boy” as he >> Read More... , Laurence Fishburne Known for his manly portrayal of characters and on >> Read More... , Jude Law Besides bagging nominations for two Screen Actors >> Read More... , Gwyneth Paltrow She is known to be one of the most charismatic and >> Read More... , Kate Winslet From television appearances to Hollywood’s film cr >> Read More... , Bryan Cranston Ostentatiously known for his anti-hero role of Wal >> Read More... , etc. The film got a theatrical release on 9 September 2011.

Plot

Following her return from a business trip to Hong Kong, Beth Emhoff is infected with a mysterious flu. She dies within days, and her son suffers the same fate hours later. Surprisingly, her husband Mitch is immune to the same. However, this is only the beginning of a catastrophe, that soon engulfs the entire world. For doctors and administrators at the US Centers for Disease Control, this is do or die. Can they make it?

Star Performances

There are three reasons behind this film being a chilling, yet brilliant experience.

Director Steven Soderbergh,

Writer Scott Z Burns and the director’s trust in his screenplay,

And the superb efforts of the ensemble cast, amongst which Kate Winslet, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Marion Cotillard stand out supreme.

Analysis

‘Fear is the most powerful weapon.’ It seems that Steven Soderbergh took this line a bit too seriously and went on to create ‘Contagion,’ which is not your typical horror film, and yet, scares you to the core.

Following the outbreak of SARS and Swine Flu in the early 2000s, this film has taken several inspirations from the same. The writer has used four different stories and connected them through a hyperlink format to make them look like one. Each of the stories, having a common theme, connects deeply with the psyche of the viewers. The makers have taken special care to ensure that nothing in this movie is logically, or even scientifically incorrect. There might be a few goofups, but none are too powerful to ruin your experience.

The fear of the pandemic is natural, and it is strongly reflected in the performance of the ensemble cast. Amongst them, Gwyneth Paltrow as Beth, the index case, stands out. So does Kate Winslet, who is fighting endlessly to control something that is literally beyond her control. Marion Cotillard as a WHO official is equally impressive.

A special mention goes out to Jude Law, who portrays the role of an opportunistic Alan Krumweide. Even Matt Damon as the helpless husband Mitch is endearing. Overall, ‘Contagion’ is one of the few films that lets the narrative do the talking.

What's There?

Brilliant direction by Steven Soderbergh
Razor sharp writing by Scott Z Burns
Impressive performances from Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, and Marion Cotillard
Able support from Jude Law and Matt Damon

What's Not There?

Minor glitches in the narrative

Verdict

‘Contagion’ is a medical science film done right. The film is engaging, informative, as well as chilling, to just the right degree. Despite being fictional, it manages to make the viewers restless, as well as fearful about the impending future. Do watch this out if you have not!

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