I wanted to use this year‘s project to visit the work of famous filmmakers. I of course explored Kubrick, and Coppola, and Hitchcock, and Scorsese; their art is certainly famous and influential. But I wanted to make sure that I somehow visited the blockbuster king and my very first favorite director: Steven Spielberg. I’ve see a lot of his filmography but somehow managed to miss his science fiction classic “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”. On this, the month of its 41st anniversary, I finally had reason to encounter this film (*hears groans*)!
“Close Encounters” is a simple ‘first contact’ story, larger in scale than “E.T.” but smaller than “Independence Day” (with 100% less carnage). The film starts with a series of abnormal ‘encounters’—missing aircraft show up, planes almost crash with an object, and strange electrical activity is occurring. Electric utility worker Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) is dispatched to repair a power line when he witnesses his first UFOs. Like others who witness them, he is mesmerized and in awe. What begins as simply defending his observation turns into obsession as he begins searching for UFOs and crafting a rocky plateau from visions in his head. Eventually realizing the rock was Devil’s Tower in Wyoming, he books it there in time to witness the government make contact with a series of UFOs. The common language between the species?—music. With all distracted in astonishment, Roy makes it down to the welcome wagon and makes contact himself.
I adored this film. It’s a simple “first date” between two forms of higher-intelligence and I thought it was really refreshing to have an alien movie that didn’t have war or invasive scientists with poor judgment. I loved how Spielberg explored the theme of communication, turning mathematics into music (through an often French-speaking main, no less). I loved the progression towards the encounter and I loved the nods to “2001”. As someone who loves the “Spielberg face” shot— a pan towards a character’s face as he/she reacts in awe—this film has one every 5 minutes. Oh, and I never tired of the music—ba, daa, dah, duh, daaaaaaa!!!!
For as much as I enjoyed the movie, my biggest critique is that it wasn’t “E.T.”! I know that seems unfair and strange but I think the opinion stands because Spielberg directed both. “E.T.” borrows themes, designs, and sequences from “Close Encounters” and manages to be a superior film—more refined, personal, and meaningful. I also thought the film’s pacing was purposeful but slow and the final act that doesn’t offer much in the form of action (just characters staring at the majesty of it all for 30 minutes). Still, despite my love of “E.T.” I found myself enjoying this film fully. From the performances, to the effects, to the music, I think “Close Encounters” deserves its place on the science fiction reel of classics!