Tags
2000's, Alessandro Nivola, David Moreau, Horror, Jessica Alba, Parker Posey, Supernatural Horror, The Eye, Xavier Palud
Film Title
The Eye
Directors
David Moreau and Xavier Palud
Starring
- Jessica Alba as Sydney Wells
- Alessandro Nivola as Paul Faulkner
- Parker Posey as Helen Wells
A horror movie that is in desperate need of some scares and could have been a lot better, The Eye feels like a failed opportunity. Some of the visuals are good as well as the music, but the rest of it is a complete mess that never grabs the attention. After seeing this I think I’ll check out the original film as I am certain it will be a lot better than anything this one offers.
Sydney Wells is a beautiful concert violinist who has been blind since a childhood game went wrong. She has learned to function with her other senses since then, but has always wanted to regain sight. Luckily for her, she is about to undergo a cornea transplant which is hoped to work for her. The transplant appears to be successful and slowly Sydney begins to regain the sight she has wanted for so long. Yet this enthusiasm is cut short by the fact that her vision seems to pick up on unexplainable things. She glimpses dead people and a constant scene of fire that remains unclear, yet refuses to leave. Knowing that she isn’t going insane, she attempts to confide in her visual therapist Paul Faulkner. He wants to help her, but doesn’t believe her story of seeing supernatural events around her that don’t have any scientific logic to them. Gradually becoming more isolated and terrified of what she sees, Sydney is still determined to figure out why she can see these ghostly apparitions and what the link is with the person who the eyes originally belonged to.
Directors David Moreau and Xavier Palud don’t exactly inspire confidence with their uneven direction of what should be a creepy supernatural film. They scare up a few twists of terror, but you can count them on one hand which really tells you something about the rest of the film. And that is where the biggest problem with The Eye lies, it just isn’t scary enough as a horror film. In fact, there are many parts when it starts to get unintentionally funny which is never a good sign when you want to create something creepy. The only really successful parts of The Eye are the cinematography and music score. In terms of cinematography, the use of grey accentuates a feeling of darkness and unease for Sydney and her assaulting visions. At least some spooky atmosphere can be gleaned through this, though it is few and far between at best. And the music from Marco Beltrami creates an ominous mood to the film, actually becoming something of a saving grace from what is a tired and turgid exercise of a film. The Eye is just a weak film from beginning to end and thoroughly a genuine waste for everyone involved.
In terms of acting and screenplay, The Eye also stumbles quite a bit. Jessica Alba does an adequate job as the terrified woman beset by horrific visions, but we never feel emotionally involved with her at all. Alba manages to get across a sense of fear, yet this isn’t enough and she comes off as very wooden. I think the part may have worked in the hands of a better actress who could actually get a feeling of sympathy across in the character. Alessandro Nivola similarly struggles with his part, which is not actually his fault. He can’t quite do much as he is saddled with such a dull part that is far from memorable. And then we have Parker Posey, who is sadly not allowed to show off her kooky sensibilities that she is known for. Even if a movie is bad, usually the acting in some capacity is good. Sadly, The Eye isn’t one of them.
The Eye is just sadly a monstrosity and never comes together well enough. Save for a few good visuals and some jolts of horror, it never arrests you or even interests in the end. A sadly wasted and boring experience.
Afzal Moolla said:
Hey brother, brilliant review as always. On a personal note, having had 3 Corneal Transplants this film still gives me the creeps lol … take care and keep the splendid reviews coming … cheers from South Africa ✌👍✊
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vinnieh said:
You’ve had three, is it painful?
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Afzal Moolla said:
yup had three done. only painful for a day or two after the surgery … so quiet commonplace and a routine procedure nowadays… Stay as cool as you are brother and take it easy and warmest wishes
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vinnieh said:
I promise to remain as cool as humanly possible.
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Afzal Moolla said:
😀
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Dave said:
One of the first movies I ever tried to review. That being said… I don’t really remember it lol
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vinnieh said:
Haha, I couldn’t find a lot to praise or write about with this film.
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fragglerocking said:
Cool review V-man, obviously a lemon. (Not that I would watch it anyway 🙂 )
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vinnieh said:
It was a pretty big waste of time as a film. Could have watched something a lot better.
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fragglerocking said:
better luck with your next choice 🙂
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vinnieh said:
I’ll be on the lookout for something better.
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sonofabeach96 said:
Never seen this one.
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vinnieh said:
I say don’t waste your time on this film. It’s pretty horrendous. BTW, are you a fan of horror?
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sonofabeach96 said:
Not typically, no. There’s a few over the years that I’ve liked, but I find most to be predictable and largely non-scary.
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vinnieh said:
It is one of those genres that is most divisive. I personally love it, though it’s psychological horrors that scare me the most.
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sonofabeach96 said:
I agree. I thought the original Blair Witch Project was that way. Simple yet creepy as hell.
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vinnieh said:
I find that when a film doesn’t show you something, it makes it more creepy. The imagination goes into overdrive.
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sonofabeach96 said:
Exactly.
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vinnieh said:
The imagination can dream up such creepy things when you only just hear something.
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sonofabeach96 said:
Tell me about it. Anybody who’s been back country camping knows how that works. 😃
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vinnieh said:
I’ve only ever been camping a few times, but know exactly about what you refer to.
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MissKymmiee said:
Totally worth the read 😍 loved it http://www.misskymmiee.com
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for that.
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beetleypete said:
I haven’t seen this remake, but I didn’t mind the Chinese original from 2002. Perhaps it was spookier because it was in a foreign language, and I didn’t know any of the cast?
Cheers mate, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
I often do find that when you don’t know the actors from other things, the effect can be better as you have nothing to associate them with.
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alexraphael said:
Sounds a big disappointment. After your description of the premise and your review I think Alba seeing something else.
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vinnieh said:
Haha, I like what you did there Alex. Oh, leave this film and by all means find something worthwhile to watch.
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alexraphael said:
Even just choosing films you’ve reviewed and I’ve not seen, I’m spoiled for choice 🙂
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vinnieh said:
Well that definitely makes me feel good about my reviewing.
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ninvoid99 said:
Yeah, this was terrible. Jessica Alba is just eye candy and that is it. Never have her try to act because as an actress, she just flat-out sucks.
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vinnieh said:
She comes off as quite wooden in a lot of movies.
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ninvoid99 said:
And yet she plays a stripper in a couple of films yet never reveals anything. What a prude bitch.
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vinnieh said:
Looking through her movies, she has played a stripper a good few times.
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Bubbawheat said:
I enjoyed the original and the sequel, my wife wanted to see this because of Alba and the other films. I remember thinking it was alright, but our favorite is the foreign sequel.
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vinnieh said:
I think I’ll check out the original version as I disliked this version a lot. Surely the original has something good to offer.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Wow! I think I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of movies you given poor reviews of, so I’ll definitely be giving this one a pass. Spectacular review though Vinnie!💁🏻
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vinnieh said:
Haha, I try my hardest to find the good in most movies. But this one was pretty abysmal. You’re best finding so etching more enduring to watch.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Sometimes no matter how hard you try, there’s just nothing positive to say.😕
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vinnieh said:
Yep, it does happen. Thankfully not that often.
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