THE EYE

David Moreau, Xavier Palud Written by: Sebastian GutierrezBased on the original 2002 Hong Kong film Gin gwai Starring: Jessica Alba, Alessandro Nivola, Parker Posey, Rade Serbedzija, Fernanda Romero, Rachel Ticotin Distributed by Lionsgate UK Film is released in the U.K. on Friday 24th April 2008

rating: 2

In January Kate wrote a great article about the pitfalls of Hollywood remakes of Asian horror I personally agree that "Much is lost in translation; where the Japanese recognise folk culture and beloved literary icons, an American audience sees the frightening and mysterious €˜other€™, mired in pagan superstition." Nonetheless, The Eye does have an interesting concept behind it that just about drags it into the range of a half-decent horror/thriller. All horror films rely heavily on sound, the high pitched strings, the sudden noise, and most importantly unidentifiable sounds off screen or out of sight that provide the anticipation which comprises most of the fear factor in template horror movies. So when you're lacking inspiration on how to revamp this tradition, why not raise the possibility that you can't trust your eyes either? Of course! It all seems so simple now! The sad thing is that this film keeps it very simple, sticking painfully rigorously to its pre-planned template. Jessica Alba plays Sydney Wells, a concert violinist who was blinded in a tragic childhood accident. She nonetheless lives a fulfilled life in bustling New York, a fact we are made painfully aware of in possibly the most laughably trite introduction to a horror film I've ever seen in which she plays at a rehearsal before making her way home, stopping a careless skater from rolling under a bus on the way. Of course he says, "Thanks, I didn't even see it" and she replies "neither did I". Wincing already? I was. And from this idyllic scene of achieving highly in the face of adversity we move on to the topic of her imminent corneal transplant - the start of the real film. Once her new eyes are installed, they immediately begin to play tricks on her - ostensibly this leads us to question whether she is actually having nightmarish visions of the deceased or if she is losing her sanity after a traumic and life-changing procedure. In actual fact it is mundanely obvious that there's more than meets the eye.... Sorry... Anyway, the pivotal role in presenting the argument that she's nuts falls to Alessandro Nivola who plays Dr Paul Faulkner, the least sympathetic therapist that ever existed. His hammed disbelief at Sydney's trauma even after she smashes up her flat, wraps her head in a bunch of towels and retreats to her bed for a few days is frankly ridiculous. And all of the little signifiers that Sydney's visions are more substantial than mere hallucinations (hand prints in sugar, burned arms, suspicious mums) make it far too clear to the audience that Sydney's eyes really are revealing another world to her, thus removing the most interesting area of suspense that could've been exploited here. Nonetheless, there are some well shot scenes embedded in this template horror. The dream transportations to horrific fire scenes are reminiscent of Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth at times, and the ghostly visages of death, despite looking a bit like the vampires from 30 Days of Night, are pretty creepy. There's even a few amusing one liners, like when Sydney is first telling Paul of her ocular irregularities stating "I see..." he immediately interjects with "dead people?!" And on a less intentional note, there is a hilarious moment after Dr Paul inexplicably decides to believe Sydney and drive her to Mexico in which Sydney asks him why he did. He can't answer and I'm certain that every man in the audience is mentally answering the question for him. I can't in all honesty recommend this film. The characters are one dimensional, the plot simplified, and a concept with potential executed with unerring blandness. The acting is average and Jessica Alba seems a poor choice for Sydney, her perkiness being ill-suited to the tormented and headstrong lead-lady. But if you fancy a cheap thrill then there's a few moments of fun to be had in this otherwise bland spine-tingler.