Disclosure Day: Steven Spielberg is the film director most famously associated with the question “What if we are not alone in this universe?”; some are emotional, some are visual spectacles, and some are more ponderous. This one touches all bases but falls mostly into the third category, as a political thriller of sorts, telling the story of a group that wants to disclose information about extraterrestrials and has to fight a semi-governmental organization that aims to keep it all under wraps. The cast, despite the story being set in the American Midwest (because of course it would), comes mostly from the British Isles and is very effective. Emily Blunt plays a weather newscaster who discovers she has a few peculiar communication skills on air one day, as confused as anyone else about her powers; Josh O’Connor plays a hacker with a conscience who works for the organization he is running from, with proper intensity. Colin Firth, as the sinister head of the villainous organization, has some too convenient powers, but his performance is quite good.

Cinematographer Janusz Kamiński, as usual, moves the camera beautifully, with some amazing shots that generally don’t call undue attention to themselves. Editor Sarah Broshar gives the film a nice pace. Composer John Williams’ musical score hits all the right notes at the most emotional moments.