Arrival (2016)
Arrival looks at communication, relationships, and the choices we make in an astounding and heartbreaking new light. It deserved Best Picture, and Adams sure deserved Best Actress.
What is Arrival about?
A linguist works with the military to communicate with alien lifeforms after twelve mysterious spacecrafts appear around the world. (from IMDB)
My review of Arrival
The atmosphere is bleak but tangible, and mystical. The beginning of the movie plunges straight into a mysterious tragedy, and the atmosphere reflects this uncertainty and the characters’ haunting emotions. The cinematography is also superb, and the visuals atmospheric. The dialogue is intelligent, witty, and more is said in silent glances than actual words - making the stillness a breathless crescendo of feeling and emotion. It’s equal parts horrifying and fascinating, and I was sucked into the world with my heart pounding literally the entire duration of the film.
It’s expertly plotted and paced. The flashes Adams' character experiences are heartbreakingly and so naturally inserted into the film's current story, and contribute effortlessly to Louise's present situation/dilemma. It’s not for one minute boring.
The direction is also excellent. The set-up of characters and their relationships for what comes later in the movie is so on point it’s insane; perfect foreshadowing, perfect characterisation, and meticulous commitment to the director’s vision. As for example: small things like Jeremy Renner's character not immediately replying to affirm his safety when the group enters the alien spaceship, is such an exquisitely thought-through move to further express his character's personality. In that moment, I got such a strong sense of who he was and what he was like. It’s brilliant.
Amy Adams is captivating. Her character is a unique, quietly spoken but highly intelligent heroine, trapped beneath her own demons. Adams was excellent, drawing Louise's inner battle to the surface when called for, and easily switching between a mother trying to hide her pain and a woman trapped in a vulnerable and terrifying situation. The fact that Adams did not even receive an Oscar nomination for her role as Louise just infuriates me; the film would not have been the same without her gentle, profound presence, and the fact that it's gone largely unnoticed and unrecognised is cinematically cruel.
Jeremy Renner's acting is also strong, and he has nice chemistry with Adams. His character is equally compelling, and he offers some mild but much-needed comic relief, too.
Before I even remembered that the film won Best Sound Editing, I was blown away by the incredibly moving and largely acoustic musical score. Most of the film progresses without music, and that instills such a heartfelt and mesmerising connection that I believe would have been lost otherwise. The sound of silence is truly stunning - as is Adams, as is the film. And when there is music in the last few minutes of the movie, it’s so perfectly placed.
This film has so much heart and so much beauty that it delivers far more than the typical sci-fi flick. When it was over, I was sobbing. It’s incredible.
