Arrival: Movie Review
Director Denis Villeneuve has delivered stellar dramatic-thrillers over the past few years with “Prisoners”, “Sicario”. Next year the filmmaker will be giving us the long-awaited “Blade Runner” sequel. However, it is his current sci-fi flick, “Arrival” that has been generating mountains of buzz. Having seen the acclaimed film, I can tell you that this is an original and impressive venture into science fiction that feels intimate and epic at the same time.
When multiple spaceships touch down across the globe, US Army Colonel Webber (Forest Whitaker) enlists linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) and mathematician Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner) to help the United States get answers to why the visitors are here. Each country has their own elite team working at communicating with the aliens. It becomes quite clear after Louise and Ian’s first interaction with the aliens that a lot of work needs to be done before they can learn how to communicate. The aliens speak in symbols, using a mist-like-ink which they shoot out of their tentacles. The trick is trying to figure out what they are trying to say. At the same time, the aliens don’t understand human language either. Essentially, “Arrival” is about communication.
There is another story going on here as well, told in flashback. This is having to do with the loss of Louise’s daughter to cancer. It reminded me a bit of what Sandra Bullock’s character when through in “Gravity”. However, with “Arrival” this sub-plot has a huge impact on how the story plays out. I have always been mixed on Amy Adams. She is a fine actor but just rarely get involved with her characters. With “Arrival” I feel she gives her best performance to date. So much rides on Louise’s perspective and emotional state and just being overwhelmed with what is going on. The more Louise becomes aware of what is happening, the deeper the performance gets. Renner is good here too, but his character is more in support of Louise.
If you are looking for a thrilling, action sci-fi spectacle, “Arrival” is not for you. If you want a thought provoking slowly paced story with a deep message that is also visually stunning, you will want to check out “Arrival” when it arrives at your local multiplex this Friday.
By: Marc Ferman
