Close Encounters of the Third Kind is the film that followed the box office sensation Jaws (1975). Spielberg had made a name for himself, and had stuck his flag down to mark his territory. These were the first steps for the juggernaut of blockbusters, and soon he found even more success with Close Encounters of the Third Kind. CE3K, is a landmark piece of cinematic entertainment. In the opening desert sequence, the subtitles say it’s present day. I was looking for clues to suggest this was not true. Some US fighter planes from 1945 are recovered as good during a sandstorm in the desert. We are introduced to line worker Roy Neary, played by a young Richard Dreyfuss (first clue) who is subjected to some changes after an alien encounter. Half his face has been “sunburnt” from the experience, and Roy starts to lose control. He doesn’t turn into the blob, but an obsession develops. He keeps recreating a shape with malleable material, which seems to be pointing or guiding him towards something. Roy’s obsession leaves him alienated from his community and eventually his family.
At the same time, the government is planning a cover up for all the strange lights, reports and night sky activity. Scientists are planning to make contact with the aliens, led by Frenchman, Claude Lecombe (Francois Truffaut). They demarcate an area, and the public are evacuated in an attempt to contain and conceal any signs of alien life.
CE3K is a time capsule from 1977. The way of life, people and 70s experience is like a visual history. However, Roy’s obsession is the story. It’s no wonder Dreyfuss became typecast for this sort of role. His focused, obsessive, compulsive nature is integral to the performance. He carries the character of Roy into full realisation. His seemingly meaningless life, suddenly becomes absorbed and almost possessed in some ways. The supporting cast pave the way for one of Dreyfuss’s best filmic contributions to Hollywood. The gripping aspect of the story is complemented by some outstanding visual effects. The film does have a present day timelessness, which is translated through the special effects. Some would say that UFOs would not look like Christmas trees, but Spielberg has a way of giving the alien lights an otherness. This otherness suggests a higher supernatural force and an alien presence is at work.
Watching CE3K 30 years after it was made, and being entertained - just proves Spielberg has had the magic touch all this time. Three decades of brilliant film-making are testament to the man’s vision and wealth of experience in producing and directing. CE3K is a must for all Sci-Fi, Richard Dreyfuss and alien factor enthusiasts. Even if you don’t believe there is life out there, you’ll find the experience enthralling from the unforgettable visuals to the five-tone communication between earth and the unknown.
My only criticism of the film is that the audience loses contact with the principal character after he becomes alien to his own race. No matter how mesmerising the final sequences, Spielberg could’ve cut the climactic conclusion down. However, this doesn’t even scratch at the glacier this film has become in Hollywood. CE3K’s influence has created a new strain in science-fiction film-making like Lord of the Rings did for fantasy.
The bottom line: Epic.
