Review of Contagion (2011) by Russell G — 19 Jul 2013
The premise and fast pace of this dramatic crisis are not bad but the plot reaches for too much and gets jumbled. There is a lot of switching between several unrelated storylines at one time. This storytelling approach effectively conveys the impact and widespread scale of the epidemic, but without a strong protagonist it feels unfocused and lost for direction.
The cast is good but most it is unutilized. There are characters that could have been entirely cut from the movie. Cutting some of the tangential storylines would have improved the movie by strengthening the stronger parts of the story.
Marion Cotillard's storyline is completely superfluous. It is not her fault that her part of the story was not well put together or wrapped up. Jude Law's part of the story is also a bit of an unneeded tangent as well.
Laurence Fishburne's part of the story is interesting and allows you to know what is going on at a technical level. Matt Damon's part of the story offers some much needed emotion and humanity for the audience to connect with.
It is highly realistic but it lacks punch. Epidemic plagues are scary but the undisciplined writing and direction fail to give this the clarity to succeed.
This review of Contagion (2011) was written by Russell G on 19 Jul 2013.
Contagion has generally received positive reviews.
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