Eye, The

Stars: Jessica Alba, Alessandro Nivola, Parker Posey

Director: David Moreau, Xavier Palud

Actually, this should be called Eyes, as a blind concert violinist (Alba) inherits a pair of them from an unknown donor, and almost immediately begins seeing dead people, fiery disasters and 'escorts' collecting those about to die. Eventually, she must identify the donor in order to prevent a yet-to-happen calamity.

The mechanics of this, a Hollywood version of a Hong Kong original, are worked quite well, but the inadequacy of the leading lady and the banality of much of the dialogue undercut the highly effective visuals.

Alba is fine, even playing the violin adequately, until she has to open her mouth, her performance becoming increasingly Prom Queenish towards the end. Nivola has a blah role as the eye surgeon who has problems believing her (as you would), while Posey has an even more thankless part as the heroine's seldom-seen sister. Rachel Ticotin and Fernanda Romero are more effective as a haunted mother and daughter down Mexico way.

It's tolerably entertaining, though, especially the first half. The voice-over at the end is a mistake.

David Quinlan

USA/Canada 2008. UK Distributor: Lionsgate. Technicolor.
97 minutes. Not widescreen. UK certificate: 15.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 0, Violence/Horror 1, Drugs 0, Swearing 0.

Review date: 19 Apr 2008