365+ movies in 365 days: Day 47 -Close Encounters Of The Third Kind

The Spielberg retrospective continues with Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. Before watching the film a decision had to be made. There are three versions of the film. The original version released in 1977, the "Special Edition" where Spielberg added scenes inside the ship and and tightened the storytelling, and finally, the director's cut released for the films 30th Anniversary. In the director's cut Spielberg removed the ships interiors that he added for the special edition and made some additional changes to other scenes to enhance or shorten them. I chose to watch the Director's cut, because I imagine Spielberg considers this the best version of the film and because I have seen the other two versions before.

The film stands the test of time as a gripping and suspenseful sci-fi action picture. I have always had two problems with the film. First I have never really appreciated Richard Dreyfuss in the role of Roy Neary, the everyman, who has the close encounter. There is something about his performance, especially in the domestic scenes with Terri Garr that I just find off putting. Spielberg originally considered Gene Hackman, among others, for the role and I wonder how the film would have been.

My other problem with the film is the actions of the main character. Spielberg attempts to find a connection between the movie and the Disney film Pinocchio, in particular, the song "When You Wish Upon A Star", but for me the connection is to the film Peter Pan. The main character forsakes everything in his life for the pursuit of knowledge about the aliens. He is like a boy who does not want to grow up. Now granted he the aliens implanted some sort of message in his head that causes him to obsess about them, but even before that we see that he plays with trains and other hobbies and does not seem to relate to his kids except to yell at them.  At the end of the film he willingly walks on the ship without a word about his wife and three children, whom he seems glad to leave behind for this new adventure.

I liked the ending of the director's cut, which removed the interiors of the space ship, which I never felt added anything. The Blu-Ray itself had an exceptionally clear picture and sound.

At The Movie House rating ***1/2 stars