Encontro às Escuras

Reading the title and seeing the cover made me think this was one of those "American Pie" movies. En contraire mes amis, this movie made me laugh and feel sad at the same time.

The story of Danny's life (pretty darn well written) was touching. The story tells you how wonderful and sad true love can be at the same time. It makes you feel how less fortunate people go through life.

This movie is pure human, and that's what I liked about it.

If you like a good story with some funny and touching moments, I would definitely recommend this one as it's one of the better ones I've seen out there.

The title and cover of this DVD suggest a film that is more fluff than substance. But don't be fooled by these clues. BLIND DATING is a well-written (Christopher Theo), well-directed (James Keach - brother of Stacy Keach and husband of Jane Seymour) story about the coping of the visually impaired, the quirks of Italian and Indian families, brotherhood, and the gamut of finding the right partner in a world of essential blind dating! One of the reasons the movie works so well is the ability of actor Chris Pine to make us believe he is blind and convey the positive manner in which people with impairments 'view' those around them.

Danny (Chris Pine) was born prematurely and as a result is blind, and as he grows toward age 21 he feels he is unattractive to women. His family is warm, loving and Italian and supportive - especially his brother Larry (Eddie Kaye Thomas) who runs a Limo service and is constantly trying to find Danny his first physical encounter, be that with hookers, girls from the office or neighborhood, or just referrals - each of whom is a disaster when it comes to dealing with a date who is blind! Danny discovers an operation that implants a camera-like contraption in his brain that will allow him the possibility to see again, even if the images are simply black and white and indistinct. In the office of ophthalmologist Dr. Perkins (Stephen Tobolowsky) is a young girl Leeza (Anjali Ray) who is Indian and whose parents have arranged a wedding with a man she does not love. And yes, in time Danny and Leeza are attracted to each other in what appears to be a doomed relationship - for family reasons. Danny has his operation and is able to see some images, but the implant fails and Danny once again is without sight - but far from being without hope, as both his and Leeza's families undergo changes of heart.

There is a sense of love that emanates from the screen, due in part to the script, the direction, and to the acting. Chris Pine is exceptionally fine in a challenging role, finding the balance between courage, comedy, and tenderness that make his character believable and lovable, and never once making a move that breaks his image as a sightless person. The entire cast is fine, including a hilarious Jane Seymour as Dr. Evans, Chris' therapist with a penchant for disrobing in front of her sightless patient! But the aspect of the film that sets it apart from many is the presentation of everyday type prejudices that can be every bit as hampering as a physical impairments! This is a warmhearted, very human comedy with many messages. Grady Harp

I just saw Blind Dating, and I really liked it. It was fairly well acted and, more importantly, it had heart.

What I'm confused about is the cover to the film, it looks like a teenage movie with hot girls and bad jokes, but it's everything but. Chris Pine's portrait of a blind guy seems very real to me, and I really felt for him throughout the whole movie. The story is somewhat obvious, and not that inventive, but it has a point, and even though it's sometimes a little cliché it's still very decent and enjoyable. (After all IT IS a comedy/drama, there just has to bee some parts we all know.)

Everybody are just human, after all. It doesn't matter if you are visually impaired, what skin color you have or what your heritage is. Watch this flick if you want to feel a little better.

Danny Valdessecchi (Chris Pine) is blind and everybody likes him. Girls think he's hot and his psychiatrist Dr. Evans (Jane Seymour) can't stop stripping in front of him. His inappropriate limo-driving brother Larry (Eddie Kaye Thomas) keeps trying to set him up to lose his virginity. He volunteers for experimental brain surgery to regain his eyesight. Leeza (Anjali Jay) is the new receptionist at the medical office. She has been promised to a traditional East Indian arranged marriage.

Chris Pine is an appealing photogenic guy. Brother Larry and the various girls seem to be trying for a wacky comedy. It's not done that well but it looks worst next to the humorless Leeza. There is next-to-no chemistry between her and Danny. She might as well be in another movie from a stripping Jane Seymour. This movie has split personality and they don't get along. Instead of trying to give Leeza her own dramatic story, the movie should try harder to incorporate her into his drama and give her some fun.

This is a comedy about a blind guy realising that he has never had any taste of women, and hence searches for his first love.

The poster suggests that this is a teenage sex comedy. However, just a few horrible dating scenes are not enough to make it into a comedy. It is not a drama either as there is too little portrayal of the characters feelings. Most of the characters are too clichéd and stereotypical to be funny. The relationship between Danny and Leeza is unconvincing either. The whole film lacks the substance which attracts the viewers to continue finding out what happened.

At least, a film about blind people gets made. It reminds people about the extra hardships that blind people face. Such a theme is not often explored. I guess the filmmakers should be applauded for their effort, but the outcome of it leaves much to be desired.