monsterbeard:

Last night we watched Contagion, which was weird because it is not actually a movie.  It’s more like a docudrama if anything, and felt like a very fancy/pretty version of what you’re made to watch in health class / driver’s ed.

But it’s effective.  I think I spent most of the movie making the same face Gwyneth Paltrow is making in the lower right here, which is the “oh God sickness is everywhere and we’re all going to die” face.

I’d much rather have watched an entire movie about Kate Winslet’s Dr. Erin Mears, because I think her performance felt the most real.  Although more and more Matt Damon is proving himself to be a very good “dad” character.  This and We Bought a Zoo (which I haven’t seen but whatever) have affirmed in me the faith that Damon makes a great “imperfect dad who loves his kids while they learn to love him back.”

Our major disappointment is that Marion Cotillard does not once say “Contagion” in her thick french accent, which was all the more disappointing because her storyline was kinda lame, really.

A solid B, no more no less.

I was just writing a mental recap too! I totally agree with all of the above (especially accent related disappointment) but also that it seemed oddly star studded for such a stern frumpy movie.

Like a New Years Eve or Valentine’s Day ensemble film for chemistry teachers or forensic accountants.

Other than wanting to punch Jude Law in his weird teeth, I mostly liked the movie. Though I never totally shook the feeling that I was being calmly and sternly lectured. 

“Do you see what can happen before you even realize you’ve eaten a contaminated pig in a Macau casino? Well DO you?”