Review of Contact (1997) by Nick C — 22 Apr 2017

Arguably one of the most controversial and debated topics is that of religion. The opponent religion most often clashes with? Science. And that is our story. Science vs. religion. We are presented with two lovers, one an atheist scientist, and the other a devout a Christian. Both sides are presented with intelligent, though-provoking arguments to the backdrop of the first contact with extra terrestrial intelligent life. This film poses a conflict between science and religion, only to beautifully marry them at the end. There is no proof of some of the profound religious experiences people claim to have, but there are places in the universe so beautiful and unbelievable, that in the end, it can be just as breathtaking and astonishing as the thought of religion and a higher power.

At the end, where Ellie's thoughts are downloaded so that the aliens can communicate with her, they use her father to do so, and we are allowed the emotional response as she seemingly interacts with her father who has been dead for years. This movie opens up a world, or a universe rather, of possibilities, and challenges us to dream big, to dream about what is really out there. Because if it is nothing, as the movie reminds us - that seems like an awful waste of space. This movie challenges controversial arguments, and reaches to the farthest extents of both extremes to open our imagination into how they can both work together in harmony.