Eye of God

I watched this film late last night with the intention of just seeing the first half then and saving the rest for later. It didn't work out this way due to the fact that "Eye of God" is so utterly fascinating and potent a movie; you just can't take your eyes off the screen!

Martha Plimpton is truly unforgettable as Ainslee. She explores the nuances of her interesting character realistically and intelligently, adding her own unique charm and talents to the role with spellbinding effects. She really deserved a lot of praise and awards for this part!

Actually, all of the performances in this film are excellent, from Hal Holbrook's brilliantly understated sheriff to Kevin Anderson's chilling, masterful performance.

The plot couldn't be better constructed or in a more original way. The technique may be off-putting to some, which made me love this film even more; it will probably always be a film that is revered by a small few because it never takes a Hollywood approach to the material, nothing about this film is derivative of something else, so it will seem unfamiliar, alienating, and disconcerting to many.

It's a film with many moments that are nothing short of gems, a film that stays with you and feeds your mind.

If you haven't seen it and have even a passing interest in cinema, it's imperative that you track this film down on VHS or DVD; true masterpieces like this should be better known and sought for.

My rating: 10/10

I grew up in a small town in Oklahoma, I understood completely the feeling of the place, the time, the people. So many people think that life is simple in a small town, but it is not...all the dark secrets are there, all the illness that everyone attributes to living in large cities is also there.

I couldn't take my eyes off the screen while I was watching this movie. Sometimes a film does come along that is everything a film is supposed to be.

If you haven't yet seen this film, please make an effort to watch it, it will be well worth your time.

I love independent cinema, and Eye of God is a great example of what a good independent movie should be. The real-life situations depicted are as twisted as real life is, and the acting is at points absolutely adorable (Plimpton) and absolutely chilling (Stahl). I thought that the cinematography was profound, and that the way the way the plot weaved the story through was brilliant. Maybe it's because I'm easily impressed (by Martha Plimpton; by stories of Twin Peaks-like small-town dramatic horror; by the lengths some writers, directors, and producers go to to create meaningful cinema; or all three, and then some more), but this movie left me feeling like something had happened To Me, and I was shattered and felt uneasy for a good two hours afterward, which I think really is the sign of a good film. Also, as an addendum, whereas some independent cinema seems contrived and at the same time pretentious, this movie was neither. And by the way, I loved it, and you might, too!

Eye of God, a suspenseful and painfully real story as narrated by Hal Holbrook who plays the town sherriff of an oil town in Oklahoma. He speaks of the story of Abraham & Isaac from the Old Testament with an air of sad resignation and cynicism. His faith in God has been eroded by a harrowing event and he is obviously bitter over it. I would venture to say the screenplay writer has a bone or two to pick with God, and having just seen this film, it's easier than ever for me to say rightfully so. This movie asks over and over again, "Why, God?"

A local 14 year old boy has just been found by the local cops, in the woods by the lake, completely covered in blood, and in a state of speechless shock. The blood is not his. It's quite evident that he's been witness to a murder.

As the story unfolds, it becomes quite evident early on in the movie what the outcome of this tragic story is going to be, but this doesn't detract from the suspense created by the film one iota. Wonderfully directed, the story is presented in fragmented pieces of time and space, like the pieces of a jig saw puzzle. You may already have a good idea what it's going to look like when it's all been put together, but the process of putting the pieces together is what keeps the viewer intently interested all the way to the seemingly inevitable conclusion.

A very well told story, socially relevent, well directed, well cast and wonderfully acted. Martha Plimpton is fabulous in her role as the carrier of the eye of God. 9.5/10

This film is beautifully crafted. Rarely has a jagged time line film been so engaging (films like Memento and 21 Grams copy this style, and only 21 Grams does it well).

Far from the over-produced fluff Hollywood is famous for churning out - you shouldn't expect your food to be chewed for you here. This is a movie for thinkers. Granted, very early in the film, you know what has happened, but this isn't a "whodunit" or a murder mystery so much as a highly evolved character study that moves with the grace of a swan in a dream. Despite the brutality, despite the violence of the content, the sublime performances and the delicacy of the director's touch enchant you. This is rockabye baby, until the cradle falls from the tree.

The acting, from all of the characters, is utterly flawless. You don't even see acting at all. It's hard not to feel like a voyeur peeking into this small town reality. The ending, as some others have commented, may be traumatic for those who have survived similar experiences. There are some visually brutal sequences and the camera is NOT merciful. You WILL experience everything right along with the characters... ...and then you will be left in silence.