12/10/2020
In the past six months, I have watched the same movie three times. Firstly with my daughter, then with my son, and then today with my girlfriend.
The film is Contagion and it seems to me that it is a film that everyone should, if they haven't watched it during the course of this pandemic, sit down and 'enjoy'. I say 'enjoy', but it certainly isn't a film that some people would call enjoyable.
What it definitely isn't, is a RomCom or an action epic. It isn't a horror movie, although there are one or two scenes that might cause the most squeamish to turn their heads; even if only for a second or two.
It also can't be called a documentary or an educational film; at least that wasn't how it was filmed. Nonetheless, it is a movie that I'd recommend to everyone.
So, what's the film about?
First of, here's a 'standard' introduction to the film.
When Beth Emhoff returns to her home in Minneapolis from a business trip in Hong Kong, what she thought was jet lag turns out to be something rather different; a virus that has a short incubation period and is highly contagious. Two days later, she's dead in the ER and the doctors tell her grieving husband they have no idea why. The virus begins to spread, pandemonium ensues and some aspects of society break down. Researchers set out to try and identify the code of the virus and find a cure.
When you watch this film, you will find it virtually impossible to refrain from comparing the situation unfolding in the film, to the pandemic we have been experiencing in 2020. You would be forgiven for thinking that this movie had been written about the COVID-19 virus and the impact upon the world. There are elements that are spookily familiar and there are aspects that might actually give insights as to options for how future stages could pan out.
I'm not going to ruin the film for those who haven't seen it by giving too many details of the plot, but I will say that amongst elements that will appear familiar are masks, panic buying and, regrettably, conspiracy theories.
I realise that conspiracy theorists won't watch this film and recognise the error of their ways; behavioural studies have shown that these individuals will resist any attempts to disprove the theories they've embraced, even when those that invented the fake story explain that it is completely made up.
However, we can hope that 'normal' people will see the damage that can be caused by the lies such people push towards communities that are, naturally, aware of and (sometimes) nervous about the subject matter (it doesn't have to be this pandemic).
If I leave it here, it isn't because there isn't lots more that I could say, but rather that I think it would be great for you to watch the movie and draw your own conclusions.
You can watch Contagion 'for free' on Netflix, if you have a subscription already or if you use a free trial (remembering to cancel the subscription at the end of the trial if you don't wish to pay on a monthly / yearly basis).
Alternatively, the film is available to buy or rent from both Amazon and Apple. Personally, if you were going to use one of the last two methods, I'd recommend the purchase option. This is purely because I think many people might, like me, decide to watch the movie more than once.
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