The Arrival

— “The Arrival” is much more than Amy Adams meeting a hulking ET. This is a lovingly crafted sci-fi film even if the basic story line—extraterrestrials hover just above ground while earthlings wonder about their intentions—seems formulaic at first. Amy Adams manages to add a softness to the film that’s needed, given the direction it takes where linguistics and communication of all forms are center stage. While the masses may panic and plot in the background, this film looks at one set of interactions and, ultimately, at life, love, nonlinear time, and our dependence on each other. Oh, and there’s also plenty of suspense building as the story develops and we are reminded once again of our fragile place in an amazing universe.

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[2016. 116 min. Directed by Denis Villeneuve. Starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, and Michael Stuhlbarg.]
http://leonardmaltin.com/arrival-a-puzzle-worth-solving/