movies-sighted-paranormal

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

The Review - AT THE MOVIES with WILLIAM HALL
Published: 24 April 2008

Jessica Alba prepares another scream in The Eye

Short-sighted attempt at a paranormal flick

THE EYE
Directed by David Moreau and
Xavier Palud
Certificate 12

RENOWNED concert violinist Sydney Wells (Jessica Alba) is bright, beautiful – and blind from childhood.
She has no idea of the real world, except the information her other heightened senses convey, but it hasn’t stopped her leading a full and happy life.
Now, close to 30, she finally undergoes a double corneal transplant that restores her sight – but brings a load of nightmares with it.
Ghost-like figures float out of shadowy corners and disappear again. A small boy who may be alive or dead is suddenly there, and then gone. Blurred images appear in the windows – whenever there’s a mirror around, get ready to duck.
“Something’s happening to me,” she cries as the visions persist, growing stronger and more threatening. “Whose eyes are these?”
Good question. The only person who can answer it is neuro-surgeon Paul Faulkner (Alessandro Nivola), complete with shades and designer stubble, enlisted to help her make sense of her dreams.
It’s an intriguing idea. So where does it all come off the boil? One problem is that Jessica spends too much time huddled on the floor of empty corridors hugging her knees, while grey apparitions materialise through the walls to start her off screaming again.
If we’re going to dive back into paranormal country – Sixth Sense meets The Exorcist – then we need something far stronger.
Alba gives a sensitive performance, and Nivola is suitably sympatico as her carer, but a combination of a bad script and confused directing defeats both.
Close your eyes, because this is one big y-a-w-n.

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment:

» Film Times
» Film Reviews
» Buy DVDs
» Rent DVDs