From the bat, before I go into my 'dislike' aspect of the post, I'll say, I love Spielberg, his films help shape me & my youth, however, Close Encounters.
I still like it as a film, for all it's sci-fi & its visuals, but at the heart for me, is a man who leaves his family (and without much thought or feeling for their part in it all too) for a personal 'mission'.
The whole notion of having children is to nurture, encourage, inspire and most of all, do not abandon their will, their love, their need for security & refuge in what you as a parent should wish, want and aspire for them.
The main male lead character refuses all this and waltzes off with someone who 'believes' in his ultimate dream. Your children and their own lives should be your ultimate dream, if you've had children, they are too be cherished.
I'm unable to have children and that whilst saddens me, I've learnt to work round that one but the thought of being able to have them and then abandon all my principles for a 'higher purpose' as Dreyfus does, I don't get and it frankly ruins the film for me, I can't invest in a man who would do that, so all the (for its time) amazing SFX, music and wonderment of the occasion is lost on me I'm afraid due to the morality (or lack of) the main character, and one can build as many mountains out of mash as you like, you won't convince me otherwise.
t: 
for this casting choice.
