AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks

Taraparain Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Jonah Abbott There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

lar_lef Part thriller, part detective, a bit of horror mark this well photographed, well acted, but ultimately not quite successful film. It is too long and seems as if the makers couldn't decide how to end it. Works best for the viewer if he/she doesn't try to figure out every aspect. Interesting attempt, but starts to lose the viewer with repetitive murder followed by following the murderess/love object. Best part is her meeting the blind man she was to marry. Sympathetic aspect of a movie pretty cold despite the would be psychological explanations for behavior of murderess and her tracker.

GUENOT PHILIPPE As you already know, that's the second adaptation from the Marc Behm's novel. The first one was the Claude Miller's feature, starring Michel Serrault and Isabelle Adjani. I have not watched the French movie since a while now, but this one is very close to the novel, although, not as close as it should have been. I mean, many scenes from the book are unfortunately not shown here. Very important sequences. But I admit that this book's atmosphere was rather complex to film, and the director did a fine job in that field, better than the Miller's movie, as far as I remember. And many details provided by the novel were not put here, I understand why actually. But take for instance the short scenes in the book, when the lead female assassin meet two guys who throw her off. One talks to her about his dead child, and she decides to spare him, not to kill him as she did with the others. Very important moment, for me, at least. And the other sequence, where she is attracted by a dude in a bar and the guy suddenly stands up and tells her he will be back in a few seconds, because he walks away to talk to another woman. And the guy in question never came back to our lead. The author Marc Bahm, said that "SHE" realized that a page of her life was over. Very important link that that the film, at least this one - the French movie, I don't remember - did not show. So, I think that this outstanding story should have been supported by a three hours movie, or a mini series. Just to be faithful to the story.

Wuchak "Eye of the Beholder" (1999) details British Consulate investigator – i.e. spy – codenamed Eye (Ewan McGregor) and his increasing obsession with a Joanna Eris (Ashley Judd), a joyless psychotic who hates certain men because, apparently, her daddy abandoned her as a little girl at Christmas. Eye's obsession helps him forget the ghosts of his past – his wife and daughter who abandoned him (or vice versa). So he quits his job to follow Joanna around the country as she murders wealthy men; that is, until she finds a man who CAN'T see who she really is, literally. The chase leads to Alaska where… Jason Priestley has a small role as a jerk in the desert whereas Geneviève Bujold plays the counselor at the orphanage where Joanna grew-up. It's nice to see the latter. For insights into the story pay close attention to the relationship of Joanna and the doctor, which I don't interpret as Sapphic, but as quasi-mother/daughter. Interpreting it as Sapphic is possible, but it's an extreme position with not enough support to back it up. People love to loathe this movie and it's obvious why: The two protagonists are psychotics and it's hard for the average person to relate to them. Another negative is some unbelievable elements, like: Wouldn't someone notice Eye camping out in the bell tower of a city church? How would he have the field know-how to get away with doing the things he does when the opening act reveals him as essentially a computer nerd who rarely goes outside? Would two Federal detectives really bring the counselor of the orphanage all the way to friggin' Alaska to determine if a waitress is Joanna? If you can handle these script flaws, however, "Eye of the Beholder" is a stylishly-made thriller with haunting aspects and a superb soundtrack/score. Even though it's hard to relate to or even like the protagonists the chase around the country maintains your interest in an entrancing manner. The movie's worth catching just for these reasons, not to mention Ashley Judd was one of the most beautiful women to walk the planet at the time (and still is) and she appears in some pretty skimpy outfits, uber-sullen though she may be in the role. Ashley's thoroughly convincing and proves her talent beyond question. I think there's something deeper going on with the story as well: Eye goes through the same voyeuristic process in his life inside the movie that we just so happen to be watching, as voyeurs. Note how much of what Eye sees is through a camera lens and into people's private lives.The film was based on the novel by Marc Behm wherein Eye was much older and Joanna, roughly the age his daughter would've been. This was changed for the movie where it appears Eye is romantically fascinated with Joanna, despite her murdering spree, and he feels the need to watch over her and save her, which he failed to do as a father with his daughter. In any case, Stephen Elliott wrote the screenplay and directed the film, but was beset at every turn by the studio "suits" who financed the picture. At one point during the stress of filming, Elliott had to check himself into a psychiatric hospital for succor! This is relayed in Lizzy Gardiner's excellent documentary "Killing Priscilla" (2000). Thankfully, he was able to finish the picture. The fact that everyone hates it and it bombed at the box office probably sent him back to the institution.BOTTOM LINE: Yes, the plot's outlandish, the characters are whack-jobs and there are some eye-rolling plot holes, but the countrywide chase and stylish filmmaking are hypnotic, haunting and entertaining.The film runs 109 minutes and was shot in California, Quebec, New York City, Pittsburgh and D.C.GRADE: borderline B/B+

Samiam3 Take a trip around America in Eye of the Beholder. This voyeuristic spy thriller covers thousands of US miles, including all the major cities, yet it goes nowhere. For a while, the story is interesting, but it gets progressively less so. Eye of the Beholder, is pretty ambitious, but it's not actually that smart. What we get can be interpreted as Vertigo plus Rear Window updated for the late 20th century, or as a hundred minute man hunt that is dressed up look fancy. Either way, the movie is not that appealing, and furthermore it is far too long (or it feels that way). This is one of those movies that you are kind of eager for the end to come, because having never gotten to be a part of it, you are just a viewer in the audience watching shallow characters run around on screen. Neither Ewan McGregor nor Ashley Judd can bring much life to their roles. What is ironic though is that even when the ending comes, you may find yourself frustrated, because it's abrupt and lame, and leaves so much unanswered. Eye of the Beholder, is a film that misfires. It attempts too much, and leaves out important ingredients like intellect, dimension, and thrills/chills. I don't think I can recommend it.