Contagion Review

• 17th Oct 2011

It seems rather fitting that I go to see Contagion when I am feeling rather contagious myself. The timing of the release of this film has been perfect here in the UK. Our ridiculous British weather has just knocked us all for six (hot/cold/hot/cold) and I guarantee either yourself, your friends or your work colleagues are sneezing, sniffing and coughing as you read this. Do you force yourself to carry on when you have that flu or cold? Do you go into work spreading your germs throughout public transport and around the office? Do you wash your hands regularly? Do you cover your nose when you sneeze (although as I’m sure you have experienced the hand covered in snot experience this isn’t really effective). So imagine if the common cold or flu you think you have is actually a new virus which could kill you in a matter of days? Think of all those people you came into contact with, or all the objects you have touched throughout the day leaving your germs lying around. Imagine how quickly it would spread. This is the premise of Contagion.

Director Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s, Traffic, Solaris) takes on the simple idea of what would happen if a deadly virus appeared in this world that we were not ready for, had no vaccines for and could not control (comparisons of devastation are obviously the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 and Smallpox). What would happen to modern society and how would we tackle such an outbreak. I generally steered clear from marketing for this movie so I could go in with an open mind. What brief glimpses I have seen of the trailers I don’t think this is exactly the film which is being sold. Others have agreed with me that the marketing leads you to expect an exhilarating Soderbergh ride and other reviews have called it the scariest film of the year. What you actually receive is a very thought provoking, almost calm perspective of what could happen in this situation. As you watch you think you foresee twists and turns that never really occur but for me this wasn’t a bad thing. Rather than some violent attack on my senses of the horror and pain of the death of millions this film felt like a refreshing alternative to current cinema. You weren’t jolted through the events, they just occurred naturally. There wasn’t a race to the end nor a huge climax but a realistic and provoking story which moved at an incredible speed but didn’t give you motion sickness. Like being the passenger in a very expensive car that has beautiful suspension. You know you are going at a break neck, dangerous speed but it’s so smooth and comfortable you can take the time to enjoy what passes you and think.

Whether the way in which Soderbergh tackles this subject suits your taste or not there is no denying this is an impressive cast, almost perfect. The top billed cast give solid performances, Matt Damon and Kate Winslet for me were particularly nuanced. However there is always Jude Law to f**k it up. I am not a big fan of his performances regardless but you will not leave this movie without questioning his accent. Australian maybe? Why was an accent needed for this character anyway? And whoever came up with the false tooth idea should be fired. What made his performance thoroughly disappointing was, however, the fact he has been cast in a character which evidently was fascinating. If the right actor who had the ability to switch between neurotic and charismatic had been cast in this role then it would have stolen the movie and surely led to awards. This aside there was a performance which did impress me, more than the main line-up who are being used to sell the film, from the actress Jennifer Ehle (my light bulb moment was when I realized it was the real Elizabeth Bennet). Not being a big enough name to sell this film she hasn’t been plastered over the marketing campaign but her role as the scientist struggling to find a vaccine is impressive. She is one of those actresses able to convey huge amounts through the subtleties of her facial expressions. Soderbergh has a good eye for actors who haven’t quite pushed into the big leagues, I really hope this reflects as one of his finds.

What will probably come up as a criticism for many is that due to the large ensemble cast the story jumps from character line to character line quickly therefore you never really get to hold on to one story arc for long. Occasionally I forgot about a character completely. It is true you feel a remoteness from the people you are watching and this may mean you do not come as emotionally involved in the situations they are in. I, however, enjoyed this style of storytelling. If the world’s population were to be so massively effected by a viral outbreak I believe it would be something so beyond our modern comprehension we wouldn’t be able to understand it nor absorb it fully, there would be an inevitable detachment from the big picture needed just so you could continue with life. The way Soderbergh has stylized this film highlighted that for me.

Would I recommend you to fork out the extortionate price of a cinema ticket to see this film? I would. I don’t think we are unaware of the devastation a “deadly” virus could cause in the world today and the film doesn’t really shock or surprise with its facts but it is a beautiful and thought provoking portrayal. For once rather than having some zombie infested end of days crammed in our faces we have what is essential a vision of a probable future. Unsettling but not extreme in context. Would you be the one in four? I can’t stop wondering if I would be.

Lauren Cracknell