Scene Says: Grade: B
“Contagion” is an ensemble horror movie in which a mysterious and extremely deadly virus infects and quickly kills nearly a quarter of the world’s population. The film begins on Day 2 of the outbreak and continues until Day 131, focusing on how the virus affects different people.
The first victim is Beth (Gwyneth Paltrow) from Minneapolis. She had just returned to the United States from China and soon, everyone around her becomes violently ill with chills, coughing, skin blotches and an inability to swallow.
The movie then volleys between several different storylines. Laurence Fishburne portrays a Center for Disease Control and Prevention official in Atlanta who continuously urges his employee (Kate Winslet) to do dangerous fieldwork. A World Health Organization member, Dr. Leonora Orantes, (played by Marion Cotillard) is sent to China. Jude Law plays a blogger from San Francisco who runs an alarmist website and attempts to capitalize on the virus.
Paranoia runs rampant in “Contagion,” which features the constant theme where people refuse to have any physical contact with each other and avoid everyday objects like doorknobs.
The only people who do not contract the virus are her husband, Mitch (Matt Damon) and his daughter from a previous marriage.
“Contagion” manages to be a very entertaining thriller, but there are a few notable problems. Mainly, the film forces the viewer to suspend reality in regards to several plot points. For example, many people confine themselves to their homes and do not leave for several days. There is no one bringing these people food. While they will manage to avoid the virus, they will starve to death. For that matter, the world does not completely shut down like it would if such a global catastrophe took place. The markets do not completely collapse, and there is still electricity and running water.
In addition, Mitch and his daughter are the only ones that are impervious to the virus, but no reason is provided for their otherworldly immune system.
Some of the stronger aspects to the film stem from the varied and talented cast. Matt Damon is extremely convincing in his Everyman role and Jennifer Ehle does a lot with her relatively minor part as Dr. Ally Hextall. Laurence Fishburne truly stands out as the unpredictable and determined CDC official.
If apocalyptic cinema is right up your alley, “Contagion” is your best bet for the fall. Even with a few plot holes, it still delivers great acting from a coterie of today’s biggest names.
thescene@theeagleonline.com
