Review 395: Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a mindblowing science fiction film, one briming with mystery and wonder and one of Steven Spielberg's best films.

 

When blue-collar worker, Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) witnesses the arrival of alien ships from a distant world, an incredible series of events begins - planes which disappeared during WWII are found intact in Mexico, long lost ships mysteriously re-appear in the middle of the desert and people from all around the world, including Neary are convinced that someone is trying to communicate with them. Neary's search for an answer leads him to take part in the ultimate encounter with the extraterrestrials.

 

The plot (one of the few to be written be Spielberg) is a fascinating web of .  We experience the aliens coming to Earth from 

The contrast between Roy and Jillian's family lives is really interesting to watch unfold because Rory is family man whose relationship with his family becomes strained after his encounter with the UFO and his 

The Alienation of being inspired: In the films analogies to the artist's dilemma, we see Spielberg grappling with personal questions about his own life. The depiction of suburban life is depicted as sufforcating for Roy as clearly depicted when Spielberg frames most of the scenes in his house in wide shots with all of Roy’s kids in frame at one. On a meta level; the film seems be asking if pursuing an artistic career can    Roy's erratic behaviour which ultimately drives his wife Ronnie (Terri Garr) and his kids away parallels Spielberg's own parents divorce.    

Potential for Human Connection: Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind suggests that mankind

Religion: Close Encounters of the Third Kind contains a lot of Judeo-Christian analogies wether is be Devils Tower standing in for Mount Sa. 

Another of the films prominent themes is Obsession as shown when Roy becomes obsessed with UFO’s and spends much of his time making models of Devil’s Tower. This obsessive drive to make this vision a reality 

We never learn why the aliens abducted people and why they're returning them now. They are depicted as an entirely unknowable force who do things for reasons the human characters cannot begin to fathom.

The title itself, is derived from Ufologist J. Allen Hynek's classification of close encounters with extraterrestrials, in which the third kind denotes human observations of extraterrestrials or "animal beings"

 

the cinematography is gorgeous, and the primary colours of the aliens contrasts beautifully with the Earth tones the score by John Williams is beautiful    The special effects are marvellous with a strong emphasis on light as opposed to shape making the alien spacecraft just as beautiful as it is scary.  

Richard Dreyfuss and Melinda Dillion are excellent in their roles of Roy Neary and Jillian Guiler Over the course of the film, Roy looses all sense of what's happening due to the aliens getting inside his head. Seeing the UFO’s make Roy feel like a child again which is reflected in how he plays with food and builds mud mountains. For Roy, suburban life just can’t compare to the wonder that comes from learning about what’s out there. 

Francois Truffaut has a very noteworthy and intriguing role in this film 

5/5.

The Anonymous Critic.