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Contact (1997)
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Overview
User Rating:
Your Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
11 July 1997 (USA)
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Tagline:
Get ready to take a chance on something that just might end up being the most profoundly impactful moment for humanity, for the history... of history. See more »
Plot:
Dr. Ellie Arroway, after years of searching, finds conclusive radio proof of intelligent aliens, who send plans for a mysterious machine. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
Alien
|
Radio
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Astronomy
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Intelligence
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First Contact
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Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
Another 8 wins
&
16 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(64 articles)
A Judy Escapes Clip for All About Evil
(From 28 Days Later Analysis. 30 July 2010, 5:38 PM, PDT)
The Sucker Punch Trailer Shows Character Baby Doll Confronting Her Demons
(From 28 Days Later Analysis. 26 July 2010, 8:33 PM, PDT)
Nicholas Cage Driving Angry Through Comic Con with this Teaser
(From 28 Days Later Analysis. 24 July 2010, 10:40 AM, PDT)
(From 28 Days Later Analysis. 30 July 2010, 5:38 PM, PDT)
The Sucker Punch Trailer Shows Character Baby Doll Confronting Her Demons
(From 28 Days Later Analysis. 26 July 2010, 8:33 PM, PDT)
Nicholas Cage Driving Angry Through Comic Con with this Teaser
(From 28 Days Later Analysis. 24 July 2010, 10:40 AM, PDT)
User Reviews:
An excellent, thoughtful movie
See more (513 total) »
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Jena Malone | ... | Young Ellie | |
| David Morse | ... | Ted Arroway | |
| Jodie Foster | ... | Eleanor Arroway | |
| Geoffrey Blake | ... | Fisher | |
| William Fichtner | ... | Kent | |
| Sami Chester | ... | Vernon (as SaMi Chester) | |
| Timothy McNeil | ... | Davio | |
| Laura Elena Surillo | ... | Cantina Woman | |
| Matthew McConaughey | ... | Palmer Joss | |
| Tom Skerritt | ... | David Drumlin | |
| Henry Strozier | ... | Minister | |
| Michael Chaban | ... | Hadden Suit | |
| Max Martini | ... | Willie (as Maximilian Martini) | |
| Larry King | ... | Himself | |
| Thomas Garner | ... | Ian Broderick |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
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MPAA:
Rated PG for some intense action, mild language and a scene of sensuality.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
150 min
Country:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:PG (certificate #35448) | Iceland:12 | Brazil:Livre | South Korea:12 | New Zealand:M | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Belgium:KT | Chile:TE | Finland:K-12/9 | Germany:12 (bw) | Italy:T | Netherlands:AL | Norway:7 | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:PG
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Jena Malone, who played the young Ellie Arroway, has brown eyes. Her eyes were colored blue (to match Jodie Foster's) by computer for the opening shot, which zooms into her eye.See more »
Goofs:
Continuity: When the signal is transmitting the prime numbers, we are able to hear and count the transmission to number eleven. However, after that, when the actors stop counting and start talking at once with each other, the signal never pauses after what would be the next prime number, thirteen. Later it is revealed that the signal transmitted all the prime numbers to 101.See more »
Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "South Park: Pinewood Derby (#13.6)" (2009)See more »
Soundtrack:
Old Time ReligionSee more »
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.See more (513 total) »
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This movie examines the premise of what would actually happen if we were to make first contact with aliens, and how that contact would logically happen.
The protagonist is loosely based on an actual astronomer named Jill Tartar. She is focused on finding other life almost to the exclusion of all else in her life. When aliens respond to the Earth's first interstellar broadcast, she is caught up in the hysteria.
What follows is an interesting observation of humanity rather than any aliens. We learn very little about aliens throughout the movie. Rather, we see how people react to knowledge of this magnitude. The movie examines religious, scientific, military and international reactions to the idea of humanity not being alone. I thought they did a fantastic job of representing the scale of reaction, from the fanatic to the skeptic, within the confines of a 2 hour movie. The movie mixes a thoughtful, sentimental tone with a good pace for action and excellent characterization. There is a somewhat arbitrary love story thrown in, but it is tolerable based on how it helps the protagonist's long-delayed progress towards a deeper understanding of her own humanity.
The movie ends in a poignant yet hopeful tone, understanding our human problems but accepting them. I think the message is that the alien contact is the catalyst that will help humanity mature and grow past our more dark halves.
If you like the movie I'd recommend the book. It gives much more insight on the aliens, and expands the scope as there are a number of scientists that participate rather than just one from America, and goes more in depth into the science. It also attempts to show that religion and science can get along. My favorite part is at the very end of the book where Sagan shows how God hid a message in the very fabric of the cosmos, that we could only read when we were ready. Be prepared however, the book is quite a bit drier than the movie and those who don't enjoy reading Discover magazine may have to dig in to get through the slower, more scientific parts.