Contagion | Review
‘Contagion’ is an interesting mix that’s one part horror, one part thriller, and one part disaster film. It boasts an all-star cast portraying an array of characters, a well-written, fast-paced script, and a skilled director capable of executing a difficult film like this. And the best part of ‘Contagion’ is the fact that it’s an honest and realistic take on a global epidemic.
The film begins with a minor cough, but we know it to be much more than just a cough. Beth (Gwyneth Paltrow, from ‘Country Strong’) is on her way home to Minneapolis from a business trip in Hong Kong, but she feels sick. There are a few others around the world who are experiencing the same symptoms as Beth. Two days later, Beth dies. Her young son soon follows. Beth’s husband, Mitch (Matt Damon, from ‘Invictus’), is apparently immune to the mysterious virus that’s taken his family away from him. What’s a worse fate, dying from a deadly virus along with your family, or having to possibly watch everyone fear for their lives and die right before your eyes?
The deadly virus in ‘Contagion’ is a unique one. It’s a strange mixture of bat and pig viruses, constantly and rapidly evolving, and denies any known cure thrown at it. In the first few days there are a dozen infected. Within weeks there are thousands. In months millions. This kind of rapidly expanding epidemic is the cause for stress within the CDC and World Health Organization. While the world’s health governments all rush to find a solution to the disease, worldwide panic erupts and social order begins to crumble.
Working at the CDC in Atlanta is Dr. Ellis Cheever (Laurence Fishburne, from ‘The Matrix’ & ‘CSI’), having the unfortunate job at staying calm and to convince the world that the epidemic is under control, though we know that isn’t the case. He sends Dr. Erin Mears (Kate Winslet, from ‘Titanic’) from the Epidemic Intelligence Service to numerous on-sight locations in order to track the origins of the virus. Mears begins her task in Minneapolis and questions Mitch about his wife.
Various scientists around the world work 24/7 to find a vaccine, unable to afford any lost time due to the speed at which the virus grows. There’s Dr. Ally Hextall (Jennifer Ehle) and Professor Ian Sussman (Elliott Gould) trying to replicate and culture the virus in order to battle it, but are failing because the virus is so quick to kill its animal test subjects. In Hong Kong is Dr. Leonora Orantes (Marion Cotillard, from ‘Midnight in Paris‘ & ‘Inception‘) from the World Health Organization, working with a fellow epidemiologist, Sun Feng (Chin Han, from ‘The Dark Knight‘), trying to investigate the origins of the virus.
The last major plotline involves a slimy freelance writer named Alan Krumwiede (Jude Law) who’s out-spoken about a conspiracy involving the government’s slow progress in finding a vaccine and their relationship with drug companies willing to make large profits off the epidemic.
Director Steven Soderbergh (‘Traffic’ & ‘Ocean’s Eleven’) juggles the film’s various narratives and characters with ease, giving each equal focus and screen time. The fast-paced film is intercut with informative subtitles stating how many days, weeks, and months have passed since the initial outbreak of the virus. This type of film gimmick actually helps ‘Contagion’ because the fast-moving epidemic complements the fast pace of the film.
The only major issue with ‘Contagion’ is the sub-plot involving Krumwiede and his conspiracy theories. Parts of his story, especially the forsythia part, hold some interesting concepts and ideas, but Krumwiede’s plot is mostly a distraction from the film’s other plotlines.
‘Contagion’ is an accurate depiction of a worldwide epidemic. It’s special because it’s a thriller where the thrills come from a race between humankind trying to find a cure versus a rapidly expanding virus, a horror where the horrific elements come from an enemy too microscopic to see, and a disaster where the chaos and destruction come from humans themselves. The most interesting thing ‘Contagion’ does is reminding us the six degrees of separation we have with everyone else in the world. With over 7 billion people in the world, that actually makes it a small world, doesn’t it? So small, in fact, that a virus could travel from one continent to another half way across the world in a matter of 24 hours.
Three and a half out of four Kents.
Extra Notes:
The film features some impressive actors in small, supporting roles. They include comedian Demetri Martin and Bryan Cranston (from ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ and ‘Breaking Bad’).
