Posted this morning by Hollywood Reporter award-season columnist Scott Feinberg: “Some movies require multiple viewings in order to be fully appreciated, or even just understood. Arrival, Denis Villeneuve‘s first foray into the sci-fi genre, which stars five-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams, may be such a film.”

Translation: Feinberg was as confounded and irritated by this film, despite its chilling, fascinating aspects, as I was.

“During its first North American screening at the Telluride Film Festival on Saturday night, I struggled to follow what struck me, and many others, as a convoluted plot. Now, it’s a challenge to get most Academy members to watch a film just once, or to care about sci-fi films even when they’re easily decipherable. So I’m skeptical that this film, which Paramount will release nationwide on Nov. 11, will factor in much of the coming awards season.”

I’m sorry but that’s a correct assessment. Paramount publicists are looking at a major uphill climb to sell Arrival as an awards contender.