Close Encounters of the Third Kind
1977  PG  SCIENCE FICTION  2h 15min
CAST— Richard Dreyfuss, Francois Truffaut, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon, Cary Guffrey, Bob Balaban
MUSIC— John Williams  DIRECTOR— Steven Spielberg

     It can be hard to critique a film that has been a part of modern pop culture for thirty years, a film whose images and words have been burned into the minds of millions of viewers all over the world and loved by audiences and critics alike. So it may be best to give only a basic outline of the premise for those who want to hear about it all over again. A borderline neurotic, manic-depressive family man (played by Richard Dreyfuss) is one of the first to see alien spacecraft in the night skies near his home. Soon the entire world is abuzz with sightings and everyone wants information. Dreyfuss and others start to obsess about spacecraft, artwork, mud and mashed potatoes in their quest to uncover answers to these strange phenomena. Overlong by a mind numbing hour and a half the payoff is in the last hour. If you like your aliens to have a nice streak and you don’t mind science babble, this should be your cup of tea. Alternate versions also available. Oscar-winner for Best Cinematography, Best Sound Effects Editing (Special Achievement Award). Deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the United States Library of Congress National Film Registry.
OUR RATING— **