A milestone in modern filmmaking that is visually striking, playful, mysterious, unsettling, and curious in its exploration of one of humankind’s most profound and anticipated events: alien contact.
Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) is an electrical lineman who, while sent out on emergency repairs, witnesses an unidentified flying object. Neary's wife (Teri Garr) and children are at first skeptical, then concerned, and eventually fearful as Roy refuses to accept a "logical" explanation for what he saw and is prepared to give up his job, his home, and his family to pursue the "truth" about UFOs. Neary's obsession eventually puts him in contact with others who've had experiences with alien spacecraft, including Claude Lacombe (François Truffaut), a French researcher who believes he can use a musical language to communicate with the alien visitors. [138 min; drama, sci-fi; English]
“A film of incredible power and intensity. It is also, and ultimately, reassuring.” – Arthur Knight, The Hollywood Reporter
“Spielberg's greatest work.” – Tom Huddleston, Time Out
“Tying various mysterious vessel disappearances into an alien abduction plot, Spielberg’s first screenplay for a studio film is also his best, exploring obsession and human curiosity through the lens of alien conspiracies and government secrecy.” – Wesley Lovell, Cinema Sight
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