Review of Arrival (2016) by Anuj & A — 16 Feb 2017

It is difficult to find ways to critique a film like this where so many aspects of what it means to make a great film can all be found in Denis Villeneuve's "Arrival".

With a story that is centered around the idea of communication, writer Eric Heisserer brings to the screen a daring example of humanity's unwillingness to work together and fear of the unknown. Told by Villeneuve in an amazingly introspective way, the story of Dr. Banks (Amy Adams) presents a hyper-realistic narrative of the importance of cooperation and the sciences (and cooperation in science), and the perils of selfishness and fear-mongering. Something as simple as talking to each other has so many nuances that most of us never consider or realise. This is a heavy, thoughtful movie no doubt, and through it all is threaded the simple and repetitive yet heady score of Jóhann Jóhannsson. The circular structure of the music, the themes, and of course the aliens' writing too, ties everything together beautifully into this well-rounded story.

That is why I give this film a full 5/5 and why "Arrival" is my pick for Best Picture 2017.