Contagion

Science Realism More Frightening Than Science Fiction
Contagion, PG-13, ****, Matt Damon, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Laurence Fishburne. Warner Bros film. Director Steven Soderbergh. Length: 105 minutes.

According to experts, what occurs in “Contagion” could really happen. This gripping film begins in Hong Kong and takes the audience to several cities around the world as a new disease of epidemic proportions begins to spread. We have all been told to wash our hands, and avoid touching our face. This is one way germs begin to spread.
How many of us become very uneasy when someone sitting next to us sneezes or coughs allowing their germs to become airborne for others to inhale the contents of their coughs. It is neither a pleasant thought nor an experience we want to share from others.
Again, “Contagion” is based on the idea that something similar to what happens in the film could actually be possible. When a new disease appears for all of us to contend with, scientists begin to research and hopefully they will find a cure.
Beth (Gwyneth Paltrow) is a business executive who has to travel throughout the world. Her husband Mitch (Matt Damon) is a stay at home dad who is currently unemployed. They live in Minneapolis. Beth returns from her trip overseas not feeling well. She had a six hour layover in Chicago. She becomes very ill, and has to be taken to the hospital for emergency treatment. In the meantime an epidemic begins to proliferate in the United States.
Doctors were consulted and asked about the accuracy of the story. The details of what exactly can take place were accurate according to the experts. The Bird Flu and H1N1 were discussed in the movie. The audience gets a dose (pun intended) of how these viruses spread, and the need for preventable research to combat them. The audience will learn a great deal about how viruses work and spread easily to others. As the virus begins to mutate we view a countdown of days. The film starts with Day 2. Day 1 will show up later in the film.
More details will be revealed as research doctors struggle to find a vaccine to stop the virus. As we all know valid research is a long process. Scientist must use experiments to find the exact mixture of a vaccine which takes time. Unfortunately, time is of the essence. The disease spreads all over the world.
The film has a great cast throughout the 105 minutes of run time trying to solve the problem, help those who are sick, and keep others from acquiring the disease. Alan (Jude Law) is a blogger apparently trying to help or maybe trying to make a fortune from others who need a cure or drugs to prevent the disease. Dr. Mears (Kate Winslet) tries to do everything in her power to help the sick and prevent others from catching the virus.
Dr. Orantes (Marion Cotillard) travels to try and help the situation as she sports her accent and romantic eyes wherever she goes. Dr. Ally Hextall (Jennifer Ehle) works diligently to find a vaccine to stop the virus.
Panic takes place all over the world when people begin to realize that the government does not have a cure. Riots, stealing, and murders begin as a result of a frightened society. Human behavior at its worst raises its ugly head.
Dr. Ellis Cheever (Lawrence Fishburne) who is working diligently to find a cure gives the audience a lesson in how the handshake began. He said, “Shaking hands is a way to show a stranger you are not carrying a weapon.” This scene has a meaning when the film is viewed.
Several conspiracy theories emerge in the film which leads us to believe that Dr. Cheever knows that we all have to work together to help everyone who is in need. Life is not just a game where everything is all about a “What’s in it for me attitude.” Selfishness seems to be prevalent in this day and time. Maybe we can someday decide to all work together for the good of all. Sometimes people overplay paranoia when it comes to conspiracies.