Review of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) by Shounak B — 07 Feb 2013

After Jaws (1975), Steven Spielberg was Hollywood's new golden boy, and he was given an offer by Columbia Pictures to make whatever he wanted for his next film, they didn't bargain on it costing $20 million.

It was a long, complicated shoot, but it's maybe Spielberg's best film, and a much more believable film than the other iconic sci-fi film of 1977, and a more down-to-earth film. The film is primarily about electrical lineman Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss), a family man from Indiana who has a physical encounter with UFO's, eventually, he becomes obsessed, much to the dismay of his wife Veronica (Teri Garr), who leaves him, even though his kids believe him.

Meanwhile, a French scientific researcher Claude Lacombe (François Truffaut) and his assistant/translator David Laughlin (Bob Balaban), travel the globe, investigating UFO reports. Then there's single mother Jillian Guiler (Melinda Dillon), who witnesses a UFO sighting, and her young son Barry (Cary Guffey) is abducted by alien beings.

Nevertheless, all three parties come together. It's a beautifully made film, and the special effects done by Douglas Trumbull (2001: A Space Odyssey) are still brilliant to look at today, John Williams' score with that iconic 5 note greeting is unforgettable, Spielberg was at the top of his game here, and he was just getting started.