Patriot Resource SciFi Movies: Contact

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The Book

Contact (1997):
IMDB Listing

Robert Zemeckis
Carl Sagan (novel)
James V. Hart
Michael Goldenberg
Alan Silvestri

Jodie Foster
Matthew McConaughey
David Morse
Tom Skerritt
James Woods
John Hurt

... Director
... Writer
... Writer
... Writer
... Original Music By

... Ellie Arroway
... Palmer Joss
... Ted Arroway
... David Drumlin
... Michael Kitz
... S.R. Hadden

Contact is based on the novel of the same name by Carl Sagan, who was an outspoken atheist. In spite of that and Hollywood's disdain for God, this movie does a surprisingly evenhanded job of looking at faith (religion) and fact (science). It shows that in many ways, both are one and the same. There are a few aspects of the religious Palmer Joss that I find hypocritical for a 'man of the cloth', but he is not made to look a fool and is treated with respect in the script. Surprisingly, it wasn't the film's treatment of religion, but rather Ellie's big revelation concerning extraterrestrials that was a disappointment.

Some movies are enjoyable to watch, but as soon as the credits begin to roll, they are already a fading memory. Other movies are good and stay vivid long after viewing. These are the movies that have a deeper message or thought-provoking question to ponder. Contact was such a movie. It posed some interesting questions about science, faith and just how much in common they might have. Most recent science fiction fare has long been short on story and long on action and special effects, so when a story-driven piece of science fiction like Contact comes along, it easily stands out.

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