Contagion

CONTAGION is an important film for the general public to see. It addresses the etiology of contagious diseases, how they begin, how they are introduced in to the world population, how they can be viewed as instances of germ warfare, how they are examined by both the US Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, how they are disseminated, the processes required for creating a vaccine, how the treatments are managed, how individuals are affected both directly and indirectly, who decides the priorities of treating large number of people around the globe, and how in the face of a world crisis certain evil people can take advantage of the fear and make millions off unsuspecting terrified people. Yes, this information is in articles readily available for public consumption, but nothing surpasses a well-written film for getting the message across in a memorable way. Writer Scott Z. Burns produced the script and Steven Soderbergh mold this story with great skill. The cast is filled with major actors but in a film of this size few of them are given much screen time.

Interestingly the film begins with the marker 'Day 2' and the significance of that move is held until the film's satisfying end. Beth Emhoff (Gweneth Paltrow) is returning home form a business trip in Hong Kong, has a layover in Chicago where she calls her husband Mitch (Matt Damon) informing him of the delay. She arrives home ill and son is dead form a seizure disorder brought on by encephalitis - and infection of unknown type that has spread to her brain. Soon after her death her son dies leaving Mitch terrified by the unknown disease. The US Center for Disease control is headed by Dr. Cheever (Lawrence Fishbine) who engages Dr Mears (Kate Winslet) and Dr. Hextall (Jennifer Ehle) and Dr. Sussman (Elliott Gould) to investigate the disease. The World Heath Organization represented by Dr. Leonora Orantes (Marion Cotillard) becomes involved as the point of origin of the disease seems to be Hong Kong: her attempt to help the Chinese is at first assisted by young Sun Feng (Chin Han) until the Chinese forces decide to hold her hostage until the vaccine can be sent to save a province in China. As the contagious disease is studied, identified, and a vaccine becomes available some smarmy people such as 'journalist' Alan Krumwiede (Jude Law) goes on the internet blogging the use of forsythia as the cure, bilking millions of dollars around the world for his fake cure. The story is both catastrophic and immediate as Soderbergh intentionally develops personal stories to demonstrate how a severe contagious disease can impact both throngs of peoples and individuals as well.

The supporting cast is filled with fine actors and the momentum of the story is almost intolerable fast. Steven Soderbergh provides his own cinematography and the electrifying musical score is by Cliff Martinez. This is a fine cinematic accomplishment and one that should be seen by every citizen in the world - for many reasons. Grady Harp, January 12
"Contagion" follows the rapid progress of a lethal airborne virus that kills within days, as the worldwide medical community races to find a cure.

* Starring: Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow
* Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
* Runtime: 1 hour 47 minutes
* Release year: 2011
* Studio: Warner Bros.

Synopsis: "Contagion" follows the rapid progress of a lethal airborne virus that kills within days, as the worldwide medical community races to find a cure.
Starring: Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow
Supporting actors: Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Laurence Fishburne, Marion Cotillard
Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
Runtime: 1 hour 47 minutes
Release year: 2011
Studio: Warner Bros.