Donovan's Echo

Maybe even a 7/10.

Danny Glover has been in so many garbage films and series that he has become a bit of an underrated actor. In this film at least he gets to be the focus, and show us some of his ability. Also the child supporting lead is not the usual vile little snot-nosed thing, instead she's quite restrained and engaging.

But overall, this film is so 'un-demanding', when really it should be an edge-of-the seat jobby. For some reason it just fails to scare.

It's not boring, it's just ... more innocuous than it should be. We watched it late at night before work, and it made almost no emotional impression whatsoever.

All of which makes it sound like a bad film!

It's not, it's got a good little story and a couple of nice twists.

You could sum it up by "I didn't mind it."

Donovan (Danny Glover) returns to his home after 30-years of roaming (which was never really explained) due to the deaths of his wife and child in a vehicle accident. He was a nuclear physicist and blames himself for paying more attention to his work rather than his family. He was also a member of the Manhattan Project back in the day and later became obsessed with Cold Fusion. Now that he is back he has visions of the future that correspond to the date he lost his family.

Remember the saying or slogan "we are all connected" from other movies: CRASH and CLOUD ATLAS? Apparently the message didn't get through as we have this movie to drill it into us again.

Donovan sees visions of what will happen in the future and Finn (Bruce Greenwood) the local Canadian policeman and Donovan's best friend doesn't believe him; and Finn thinks Donovan is becoming dangerous. Donovan believes there is a reason he came back - at this time - and he sees things and attaches the visions to the date of the death of his wife and child. We decide Donovan is not mental (hey, that would be another story) but he cannot seem to get thru to Finn, Maggie (the 11-year old who has the same name of his daughter who died in that accident), or to Maggie's mother Sarah (Sonja Bennett). We have dialogues in our heads that would help but our dialogues are never used. Bummer.

We try to connect the dots with Donovan. However, the way these dots are presented make it difficult to follow any logic and it is here the script confuses us. Sad to say much of this story is disjointed and we are on the verge of looking for the remote to end this because we find ourselves no longer caring.

I don't believe the connection message got thru this time. In the other movies mentioned above the connections are universal; but here the connections seemed to be relegated to Donovan and the immediate cast only. The drilling was not successful in my opinion. (4/10)

Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Language: No.

Those who have a keen interest in fate and karma will love the movie Donovan's Echo. Danny Glover stars as a man grieving for his wife and daughter's death. While he wallowed in alcohol for a time, he tries to get his act together with the support of his goof friend, policeman Bruce Greenwood (co-producer of the movie, too!). Then, he starts getting these psychic flashes about the future and the past. What do they mean? Is tragedy about to strike again, and can he stop it?

One tiny detail I found sad and realistic in this movie was the scene when Danny tries to get a job as a science professor. It doesn't matter how brilliant he is, or his lengthy employment history, his long gap of unemployment is all that stands out. The only job he's able to get is stocking shelves at a grocery store. He's repeatedly criticized and publicly humiliated by the store manager, which is so true to life. This brilliant man who cares for others is treated like garbage as he mops the floor of a grocery store; isn't that typical?

But back to the bulk of the movie. The story is strong, and the psychic flashes will keep you guessing all the way to the end. In another true to life element, when Danny shows interest in helping a little girl, her mother thinks he has nefarious intentions. Your heart really goes out to him in this movie. If you like these types of plots, add Premonition and Shuffle to your list.

DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. The psychic flashes sometimes have a strobing effect, and it will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"

I just ran across this movie last night and decided to give it a look mainly because Danny Glover is in it. Very interesting movie to say the least. Definitely worth the watch if you haven't seen it.

A Movie About Clairvoyance and One's Ability or Inability to Make Sense of it All and Connect the Dots for Some Kind of Understanding and Closure to Things that have Happened or Might Happen is the Complicated Plot of this Small Film from Canada.

It is Difficult to Process (things that go on in the mind and in dreams or precognition) and making it Intriguing and Mysterious to an Audience is not the Easiest Way to Make a Thriller. But when it is done Well it can Make for a Unique and Unusual Movie that is Welcomed in the Paranormal and Sci-Fi Genre.

The Premise can be Creepy and as the Viewer is Most Likely at Some Point in Their Lives through Dreams of Deja Vu can Latch On to it with an Uneasy Feeling Taken from the Uneasy Feeling that such Real Life Experiences can Bring On.

This isn't a Fully Rendered Film about Danny Glover's Frustrating Predicament and there are Coincidences a Plenty and a bit too many Contrivances to Accept, but the Movie does Manage to Draw You into its World of Wondering What's Up just Enough to Pass as a Low-Key, Well Acted, but Ultimately Boxed In Entertainment and So Restrained by its Budget and Running Time that it Seems Rushed, Confusing, and Shackled.

Overall, it is Definitely Worth a Watch for some Good Performances and an Interesting Story, but Fully Involved Fans of this Type of Thing will Most Likely End Up Wanting More than this can Deliver.