Review 785: Disclosure Day

If you found out we weren't alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you? Disclosure Day  a culmination of nearly fifty years of Steven Spielberg's work in the science fiction genre

The world is poised on the brink of World War III,  meteorologist Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt) finds herself at the centre of a bizarre on-set incident, she crosses paths with cybersecurity expert and whistleblower Daniel Kellner (Josh O'Connor) who claims to understand what happened to her - and to have proof that we're not alone in the universe. With the help of scientist Hugo Wakefield (Common Domingo), Daniel and Margaret begin a quest for full disclosure. However, Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth), a powerful head of a secret arm of the U.S. government called the Wardex Corporation will stop at nothing to ensure the truth remains under wraps.

The film opens by thrusting us right into the middle of the action when Josh O'Connor's Daniel is being hunted by Firth's Noah 

Sure we get the usual hallmarks of the sci fi genre like crop circles, government conspiracies and car chases. But they're handled and executed with such  in a way that feels fresh that unless you're a  you probably won't notice.

The screenplay by David Koepp (his fifth collaboration with Spielberg follow the first two Jurassic Park films, War of the Worlds and the fourth Indiana Jones film)   The film's primary theme seems to be empathy: 

At the centre of this conspiracy is Emily Blunt in the role of Margaret Fairchild, a former journalist 

Spielberg intelligently surrounds her with  including but not limited to: Josh O'Connor, Eve Hewson, Wyatt "John Walker" Russell, Common Domingo & Colin Firth. With smaller roles filled out by Elizabeth Marvel, Hettienne Park, Gabby Beans & Henry Lloyd-Hughes. Rather awesome. 

Eve Hewson doesn't lag far behind  she makes you feel Jane's fear and vulnerability in every scene she's in. 

Russell's Jackson is actually an excellent deconstruction of the "supportive boyfriend" archetype.