Rating: Summary: Actors good- movie bad Review: As stated in the title, Ashley Judd and Ewan McGregor are great at portraying their character, but the direction of the movie was horrible. It was very disappointing to see great performances by actors lost in a movie that seemed slapped together.
Rating: Summary: ASHLEY JUDD PLAYING THE DEVIL? Review: Gee, I just had an awful thought. What if I had just landed on a spaceship from Mars, and I saw EYE OF THE BEHOLDER as my introduction to movies? Then suppose someone were to ask me what movie star I like best. I would have no answer to give exept K.D Lang! In this movie movie she keeps it all together while trapped in a twilight zone in which the world might as well be one big institution for the criminally insane, for all her contact with it goes. Yes, a movie that can make K.D. Lang look good compared to the rest of the cast is quite an accomplishment. Still, it is a losing battle. Despite her touch of sanity, sitting through EYE OF THE BEHOLDER is qutie an accomplishment too.
Rating: Summary: A Tangled Web of Intrigue..... Review: This review refers to the VHS(Columbia/Tristar) Edition of "Eye of the Beholder"......A government detective, (Ewan McGregor) gets entangled in the web of a Black Widow style murderess(Ashley Judd)and becomes obssessed with her world. It is a psychological thriller that will captivate you and a story that is as intricate as the web itself. "Eye", is given the assignment of locating his boss' son. He uses the most technically advanced equipment and sets up surveillance and soon discovers there is more to this mystery than meets the eye. He discovers a woman who is wooing then killing her male companions. He becomes intrigued, and then obsessed as he follows her from state to state, sinking deeper and deeper into her world. What he sees is a woman with a deep rooted rage from being abandonded as a child. Our hero is not without his own deep rooted psychological problems though. He is a father whose own little girl was taken away from him, and the guilt he feels has him wanting to protect this murderess from a distance. It is a dangerous journey from start to finish. This story of obssesion is compelling, although oft times confusing. I've watched it a few times now and there are still questions in my mind. I was never really sure who he worked for or how he manages to always find her(even after he has lost all of his equipment). But I find myself more intrigued with each viewing. I was trying to decide between 3 or 4 stars with this one, and the performances of this cast, actually kicked this film a notch for me. Ashley Judd and Ewan McGregor are haunting in their performances. Jason Priestly also adds greatly as a demented drug abuser, and it's always a treat when Genevieve Bujold turns up in any film. Also rounding out the cast is K.D. Lang and Patrick Bergin.There is a haunting musical score and it was directed by Stephan Elliot. If you like movies like "The Pledge"(although this one is not quite at that level), or you are a Ewan McGregor fan you should check this one out. The VHS has a good picture and is in Dolby Surround. Get the popcorn ready and enjoy.....Laurie
Rating: Summary: Kooky but interesting Review: I kind of liked this movie. Thought McGregor and Judd dance around each other's worlds it's very interesting to see the half bits and pieces of another person's life through someone's infatuated eyes. We're never quite sure who is more insane in this film, her for her actions or him for his spying. And in the end that makes this film interesting as characters interacting. Though it may leave a casual watcher dissatisfied because it doesn't sum everything up into a neat bow, it does present a good story.
Rating: Summary: Downward Spiral Review: I really liked this movie! It's about an investigator (he seems to have some kind of government affiliation, but with the american or brits isn't specified... there's a lot of stuff that isn't specified...) who's going through some personal problems. He can function, though, and is assigned to check on some missing money... And becomes obsessed with a woman who comits a crime. He ditches everything and follows her... Once again Ewan McGregor makes it great.
Rating: Summary: Strangely Bewitching, Thoroughly Engrossing Film Review: This film is all about tone and mood and introversion. It's not the follow along plot line that we are used to in American cinema, but something much more surreal. The plot is intriguing, exciting, with the main characters capturing your interest right away as opposites with similar pain. I suppose what makes this a five star film to me is that it's like reading a really intense book (though I haven't read the book this is based on as of yet). You become submerged in the story, in the atmosphere... the credits come up and you're still trapped inside the film, full of contradicting emotions and ideas. I find that any movie that haunts me after I've seen it is rare. Having worked in a video store for four years, I've seen a great deal of movies and those rare few that can encapsulate you into thier world entirely are like strange jewels scattered among the same shelves with the usual gravel. I recommend this movie whole-heartedly, yet believe it is best viewed alone, perferably at night... might as well induldge yourself, after all it's about being in the dark, alone, watching someone else. Don't expect anything ordinary or predictable about this plot. The characters are flawed creatures whose moves and motives change in a consistantly realistic way. The two characters actually switch roles as the film progresses. It's fascinating material. Alright. Enough praise. Rent it. Why not? It's only a buck or two (unless you're going to some hideous chain store). Clear your head and expect to get sucked in. Whether or not you like it or not, you'll be hypnotised...
Rating: Summary: Poorly conceived, perfectly shot Review: Stephan Elliot's ambitious film departs considerably from Marc Behm's moving novel of the same name, and therein lies its undoing. In Behm's version, The Eye is old enough to be Joanna's father, and his protectiveness of her is understood as frustrated paternal love. But by casting leads of similar age, Elliot undermines this motivation - and without the luxury of inner monologue to help us, The Eye's behaviour becomes difficult to understand. The poignant father-daughter theme is considerably diluted, and as that was the story's principle appeal the resulting film ends up looking a little pointless. The decision to cast McGregor is puzzling, especially when there are so many capable, middle-aged actors who could easily have played the part for the same price. Nevertheless, there's still plenty here to like. Judd and McGregor give superb performances backed up by a quirky ensemble including Patrick Bergin, Jason Priestly and k.d. lang. Elliot's direction and visual style are undeniably first rate, and he continues to show that "Priscilla" was not just a flash in the pan. Overall, this is a beautifully crafted but disappointing film made more so because it's so close to being good.
Rating: Summary: Infuriating Review: Bizarre and disappointing. Everyone else has described the failures of this film, I will not. I will simply add this minor detail that to me speaks volumes concerning the futility of trying to comprehend the film or the character's motiviations: The red jacket. He's following her. Secretly. Doesn't want her to know. Spying. AND HE'S WEARING A BRIGHT RED JACKET THE WHOLE TIME. Get that? A BRIGHT RED JACKET. What? He's a spy and he wears a RED JACKET while trying to maintain a low profile? Truly unbelievable.
Rating: Summary: THE WORST MOVIE EVER MADE! Review: Truly, this is possibly the worst movie I have ever seen. A total waste of time. Too bad I had to give it one star to get this review in. It doesn't even deserve that!
Rating: Summary: Intellectual Thriller Review: Though it is very confusing and bizarre, "Eye of the Beholder" is in a class of its own. Ashley Judd flaunts her acting potential and steamy profile, while Ewan McGregor provides the "glue" to keep this flick together. The DVD version provides quality sound. The editing is flawless...the camera-work is excellent. If you want to take a ride on a crime/romance drama that never allows you to accurately predict "what's next", EOTB is for you.
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