Today’s quick review: Contagion. While on a business trip to Hong Kong, Beth Emhoff (Gwyneth Paltrow) contracts a virus that kicks off a global epidemic, spreading within days to the world’s major cities. As doctors around the world (Laurence Fishburne, Kate Winslet, and Marion Cotillard) work to contain the virus, trace its origins, and develop a cure, Beth’s husband Mitch (Matt Damon) tries to care for his family in a world gone mad.
Contagion is a thriller with an ensemble cast from director Steven Soderbergh. Contagion charts the course of a global epidemic, from its inception to its spread to the race for a cure. The movie offers a realistic look at a terrifying scenario, examining the societal and personal consequences of a widespread disease. Its high stakes and comprehensive scope make Contagion a strong pick for viewers interested in real-world drama.
Contagion does its homework and isn’t shy about showing it. The movie touches on nearly every facet of disease response: quarantine procedures, the lab tests used to study the virus, the reaction of the public, and the personal toll on the infected and their loved ones. The emphasis on realism does undercut the story in a few places, where the movie stops to dish out more technical terminology or debunk a myth, but on the whole it pays dividends.
The consequence of this broad approach to storytelling is that no single character gets the spotlight. There are arcs for the characters, but they tend to be fragmentary, parts of a larger mosaic rather than pictures in their own right. The distributed nature of the plot also means that Contagion has to work to keep the viewer’s interest. The movie relies heavily on its soundtrack and sense of paranoia, rather than its plot, to maintain tension.
How much you get out of Contagion will depend on what you’re looking for. Those interested in a detailed portrait of a modern-day epidemic should look no farther, as the film’s broad scope and solid execution make it a full treatment of its premise. Those looking for a tidier story with conventional thrills will want to look elsewhere. Contagion has plenty to offer in terms of plot and atmosphere, but its drama won’t resonate with everyone.
For a more fanciful, action-oriented take on a similar premise, try Outbreak. For a similarly grounded look at the drug trade, try Traffic. For a somewhat similar look at a financial crisis, try Margin Call or The Big Short.
6.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for comprehensive scope and attention to detail.