Review of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) by Highs&Lows O — 07 Jun 2011

Classified: Perfectly Fresh.

Defining Moment:

The landing of the Mother-Ship which is both spectacular and eerie.

Highs:

Spielberg is amazing! He can tell multiple stories with such passion and ease. The Special effects are well done and the cast used are brilliant and its brilliance is found in the fact that they don't rely on special effects to get the story across but the Character depth (as was the case with JAWS). QUICK NOTE: Young Cary Guffey is a revelation in this film!

Lows:

Classic ....

Interesting Note:

Richard Dreyfuss was not first pick or really considered for the role of Neary. Jack Nicholson was high priority along with Dustin Hoffman and Al Pacino; Dreyfuss, being on the set of JAWS had heard of this movie and read some material, started to campaign for the film heavily and with some luck in Hoffman and Pacino not interested and Nicholson having other commitments he got the role. I think he fitted the role perfectly!

H&L Conclusion:

Another Spielberg classic, in my opinion, fantastic Sci-Fi that made you feel uneasy about life in outer space. We experience a purposeless man in Neary (Dreyfuss) who falls in love with this obsession which makes his a neglectful husband and at times a horrible father willing to give away his life in order to be chosen by something that may give him significance. The aliens are a supporting act in this film, like the shark was in JAWS, to some of the real issues of Fatherhood, faith, significance and the pursuit of what people think is important i.e. family or hobbies. Again Spielberg masterly explores these themes using the background of Sci-Fi.

Star Rating: * * * * * * * * * * 10/10.

One of my favourite films of all time.