'Contagion' best fits the brewing danger
For all those examples, "Contagion" correlates most directly with the current danger, beginning as it does with a woman (played by Gwyneth Paltrow) who returns to Minnesota with a strange illness after a trip to Hong Kong. In a matter of days, she's dead, leaving her husband (Matt Damon) in a state of shock, before others begin exhibiting the same symptoms, as the outbreak spreads across the world. Directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Scott Z. Burns, the movie offers an alarming glimpse at a worst-case scenario. Rumors and panic begin to spread, and the guardrails quickly start to come off society as the days click by, amid quarantines, looting and chilling scenes of vacant airports. Watching the movie again, what stands out -- beyond an inordinately good cast that includes Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Laurence Fishburne, Marion Cotillard and Bryan Cranston -- is how difficult it is to convey the global sweep of such a story without sacrificing something in terms of the drama. Specifically, "Contagion" scatters its attention among so many characters -- including victims and those desperately working to find a vaccine -- that it suffers in stoking an attachment to any one of them. Buried within the film, though, is a stark warning that feels even timelier today, subtly conveying how one misguided policy decision or thoughtless action can have a devastating domino effect, sowing the seeds of destruction in a vast, interconnected world.DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Two sentenced for stealing over 1,000 bags of rice
3 mins -
Xavi to remain as Barcelona coach until at least June 2025
8 mins -
2Pac’s estate threatens to sue Drake over use of late rapper’s AI-generated voice
10 mins -
Yaw Nsarkoh: The President’s letter on the KPMG (SML) Report
10 mins -
Manasseh’s praise and criticism of Akufo-Addo’s action on the SML scandal
15 mins -
KPMG’s report confirms we haven’t been paid $100m – SML
20 mins -
Mahama’s speech at Prof Opoku-Agyemang’s unveiling as his running-mate
34 mins -
Asiedu Nketia’s full speech at official unveiling of Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as running-mate
40 mins -
We are committed to helping build a better Ghana – SML
48 mins -
‘They don’t even pick up my calls’ – African Games gold medalist laments over unpaid bonuses
53 mins -
Fifi Kwetey’s full speech at official unveiling of Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as running-mate
1 hour -
About 282 million people face acute food insecurity in 2023 – GRFC
1 hour -
Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo fires Bournemouth to victory against Wolves
2 hours -
Everton 2-0 Liverpool: Everton apply final blow to Liverpool title challenge
2 hours -
Akufo-Addo nominates Felicia Attipoe as Tema West MCE
2 hours