Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Essay by Anonymous UserCollege, UndergraduateA+, April 1996

download word file, 2 pages 3.6

Society & Entertainment

Film Review

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

What do you get when you combine aliens, a little bit of mystery, tasteful

comedy, good acting, and award-winning direction? A wonderful film from one of the

most celebrated directors of our time, Stephen Spielberg. 'Close Encounters' places

Richard Dreyfuss and Melinda Barro in roles of regular suburbanites who both believe to

have seen a UFO. The plot thickens and the intrigue begins when these two determined

people try to find out what is really going on in their town. Dreyfuss, obsessed with the

UFO sightings, nearly drives his family away, and destroys his home in suburbia because

of his unrelinquished need to answer his own questions. Although this is obviously a

science fiction film, Dreyfuss also turns in just the right amount of delightful comedy to

keep boredom from the audience's grasp. Spielberg has won a hit with his heartfelt,

intriguing, sci-fi flick that has that patented Spielberg ending we all have grown to love

over the years.

The reason for the greatness of this movie lies firmly in the outstanding

performances by Dreyfuss, Barro, and co-star Terri Garr. Dreyfuss has a knack for being

able to portray an erratic man who in one instant is completely normal, and at other times

becomes utterly insane. Melinda Barro also puts in an extremely believable performance

as Dreyfuss's side-kick in search of her abducted son. But perhaps the most hidden

success of this movie is the very underrated actress Teri Garr, who put in her two cents as

Dreyfuss's wife. Garr did play a small role, yet it was effective, it produced a gauge of

just how crazy Dreyfuss was really getting. The wonderful acting carried the film over

the obvious special effects that Spielberg uses.

This film was...