“The Eye” (Lionsgate)
Seeing Is Not Believing
Jessica Alba stars in “The Eye,” a movie with a plot that seems tailor made for Sarah Michelle Geller. But Alba or Geller, it doesn’t matter since the key role is a pretty girl in peril. Both of these young actresses along with a ton more could handle the part. Since Alba is my personal favorite among this group, she enhances the movie.
Alba plays Sydney Wells, a professional violinist who has been blind since a childhood accident involving her sister Helen (Parker Posey). Now she is going to have corneal transplants and hopes to regain her vision. After the operation her vision seems fuzzy but the doctors tell her that is to be expected.
What is not expected is the appearance of some people that only she can see. They appear at random times and seem to be trying to give her some kind of message. The message involves fire and death. Since these “visions” are driving her crazy she seeks the advice of a psychiatrist (Alessandro Nivola). He basically tells her it is just her mind adapting to being able to see.
Of course things go from bad to worse as these “supernatural” apparitions keep intruding into her world. Finally Sydney reaches the point where she wishes she were blind again.
Alba plays the main role with ease. Her beauty is such that it adds to her vulnerability and the audience feels protective of her from the start. The role doesn’t demand a lot of her dramatically but she handles all that is required suitably.
Nivola makes only a slight impact as the psychiatrist, and if there is any romance between him and Sydney it isn’t shown. Parker Posey is terribly miscast as the sister. Posey is a quirky actress who excels in roles that are out of the norm. The role of Helen is a normal role.
The film is rated PG013 for violence and profanity.
“The Eye” is based on the Hong Kong film “Jian Gui.” It is adapted convincingly to a United States/Mexico setting.
There is enough excitement and mystery in the film to hold an audience’s interest. This isn’t the best movie you will see this year by any means, but it is the best Jessica Alba movie I have seen in a while. That is saying something.
I scored “The Eye” an unblinking 5 out of 10.
