Today’s quick review: Arrival. Louise Banks (Amy Adams) is a linguistics professor mourning the death of her teenage daughter. But when alien vessels land at twelve sites around the world, she is recruited by an Army colonel (Forest Whitaker) to translate the aliens’ bizarre language. With the aid of Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), a scientist on her team, she attempts to communicate with the aliens to answer the question of why they have come to Earth.
Arrival is a science fiction drama with a linear, focused plot. The film skims over certain details in favor of presenting what is of plot or emotional significance. As such, many of the science fiction aspects of alien contact are addressed only in passing, while emphasis is placed on establishing communication with the aliens and the effects of the contact on Louise.
Fans of cerebral science fiction will have plenty to chew on. Louise sets about decoding the aliens’ language with a satisfying mix of logic and intuition. Her work is sprinkled with just enough real-world linguistics to make it feel authentic without getting too technical. And unlike many sci-fi films, Arrival has very little action to distract from the main plot.
Arrival also offers something to fans of personal drama. The outer science fiction plot wraps around a inner story of personal loss. Louise’s interactions with the aliens dredge up memories of her daughter that begin to affect her judgment. The personal drama gives the film a bittersweet tone that meshes well with its realistic, focused take on alien contact.
Watch Arrival if you are keen on hard science fiction and well-told personal drama. Arrival is a movie that sticks to its key themes and handles them well. Those who prefer adventure-style science fiction should look elsewhere.
8.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for solid execution of an interesting premise, but drama fans will rate it higher.