Contagion

It’s been a while now since Stephen Soderbergh has given us a film that delivers the holy double of both critical acclaim and box office numbers (though it’s safe to say studios are only really worried about the latter these days, I suppose). His latest, Contagion, doesn’t triumph in either category, but it’s a drama (though advertised as a thriller) that requires a bit more thought than the usual outlay from such a (relatively) hefty budget. Starting with the caption “Day Two”, the film begins with a number of people dying in various different countries. Before long it’s clear that a worldwide pandemic is the cause and the film takes the viewpoint of numerous different characters as the death toll rises with no remedy in sight. Though there’s no clear lead in the film, with the main focal points being Kate Winslett (Disease expert), Laurence Fishburne (Big Cheese disease expert), Matt Damon (Man on the street) and Jude Law (Blogger on the, err, street), the main interest is garnered from the scientist’s point of view as they struggle to contain the illness, whilst trying to discover the crucial cure at the same time. The viewpoint from the general public is less involving as we’re not really given any time to emphasise with the characters and the scenes involving rioting and looting as the social breakdown occurs are ten a penny. Soderbergh and screenwriter Scott Burns have been getting praise from the scientific community for the films precise portrayal of the procedures and processes that disease control centres undergo during such times and aligned with some of the selfish decisions some of the characters make under pressure it gives the film a realistic and almost documentary edge. Apropos to this is that Soderbergh doesn’t tell the story with any sense of preaching or overly political statements. There are some moments that don’t add up though. Winslett’s character spots early on how dangerous this illness could be, but spends little time protecting herself against it, some minor characters are base stereotypes with wooden dialogue and a kidnapping subplot involving Marion Cotillard as an epidemiologist appears to be a ruse just to get one less character off screen for ages. There are some nice touches though, especially the final scene flash back to “Day One” showing us just how the disease began and how easily it spread uncontrollably. Worrying stuff indeed, but there is something in this film even more horrific than the millions of dead bodies: Jude Law’s “Australian accent”. If I did urge you to see this film it would be to check it out just for that reason alone. Quite frankly it’s mangling of vowels not heard on celluloid since, well, possibly ever. Anyway, going back to the film as a whole, as a study in science, media and politics this is well handled and ripe for further discussion. However, as a film it doesn’t grip as it should and despite the good notices for its accuracy, this still can’t stop it slipping back into the general muddle of infection of the week films.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict

This is an interesting film, but it can’t really be classified as anything more than that. Rating: 6/10.