“Close Encounters of the Third Kind” is a science fiction film written and directed by Steven Spielberg. It was released in 1977 and stars Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, and Teri Garr. The film explores the theme of alien contact and its effect on the human psyche.
The story begins in Muncie, Indiana, where an electrician, Roy Neary (Dreyfuss), has a strange encounter with a UFO while out in the field on a job. This encounter transforms Roy’s behavior, as he becomes obsessed with making contact with the aliens he sees. Roy’s obsession takes a toll on his personal life, and he becomes increasingly estranged from his wife (Teri Garr) and children.
Meanwhile, the government is aware of and tracking the alien sightings, with a team of scientists led by Frenchman Claude Lacombe (Truffaut) investigating the phenomenon. Lacombe and his team are particularly interested in a series of strange occurrences that have been happening around the world, such as unexplained power outages and missing airplanes.
As Roy’s obsession grows, he begins to experience vivid dreams and visions of a mysterious mountain. He becomes convinced that this mountain is key to making contact with the aliens and sets out to find it. Along the way, he encounters a single mother, Jillian Guiler (Melinda Dillon), whose son was also affected by the UFO sighting.
The film builds towards a climactic scene where Roy, Jillian, and other individuals who have been similarly affected by the sightings converge on the mountain. There, they witness the arrival of the alien spacecraft and are finally able to make contact with the extraterrestrial beings.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind is known for its groundbreaking special effects and innovative use of music, particularly the iconic five-note sequence that has become synonymous with the film. It is also notable for exploring the psychological impact of alien contact and its message of hope and curiosity in the face of the unknown.
As a side note, this film profoundly impacted me growing up, and I still enjoy watching it today.
Available to watch on Amazon Prime.
The Other Cinema 