Contagion

I loved Outbreak, the classic "microbe-danger" thriller with Dustin Hoffman and Rene Russo. So I figured that Contagion, with a great cast and lots of hype, was a natural sequel...but it never quite got its act together.

OK, to be positive, there were lots of good "getting sick" scenes...folks hacking, coughing, breaking out in rashes, dying on the spot. The acting was strong, with talent galore. The film offered a good view of social unrest that could follow a major contagion. And there were some good references to historical markers, such as the Great Flu of 1918 and Ebola.

But in general the film did not work. It tried to do too much. Each of the actors shown above had an individual story, and so did about ten others, so there was not enough time to give all the plot lines the depth they deserved. The story attempted to do a linear time progression, showing how the "plague" spreads, but the day by day, week by week account was confusing and a bit illogical.

No spoiler, so no further details. Suffice it say that this viewer was not nearly as moved as he expected to be. Although, in truth, I did take a long shower when I got home...lots of germs and cooties all around us!

Beware the microbes! Beware the hype about Contagion! Beware a film that just tries too hard.

Grade: B- Sometimes engaging, mostly slow.