Imagine

A Church supported clinic for blind children in Lisbon, Portugal hires a teacher, blind himself, who has a radically innovative pedagogical method. Instead of teaching these children to get around with canes, he would train them to imagine their environment and navigate with sound echoes (like bats). English actor Edward Hogg is charismatic and totally realistic in the role of the blind teacher; and the child actors are equally authentic. The film achieves much with a remarkable soundtrack of subtle environmental sounds which takes the viewer right into the minds of these blind children and their teacher. I don't think I've ever seen a film portray what blindness involves as well as this film does. It's a true tour de force by an assured filmmaker, which only falls short story wise when it tries to insert a rather pedestrian love story into an otherwise intriguing premise film.

Ian, a blind man, can find his way along the streets of Lisbon on his own and without the use of a cane. He listens intently and professes to see more with his imagination than with his eyes. A school for blind children takes Ian on as a teacher, but not without deep misgivings. As Ian takes away the children's canes and leads them into the streets, evidence mounts that Ian's methods are more dangerous than they appear and even that he is a fraud. At the same time a reclusive and wary young woman at the school, Eva, decides to place her trust in Ian. Eva stands to vindicate Ian or be the final nail in his coffin.

Imagine is an unconventional and moving film. It is the kind that renews your faith in the magic of film and stories. Filmed on location in Lisbon, the scenery is a treat for those who can see. So is the story. It kept me guessing until the end. The characters are balanced; all are vulnerable, but not powerless. Despite how good Imagine is, it was not widely released in North America. I wish I knew the reason. Many people make fun of it, but that is the case with all films. Each film appeals to certain people, not everyone. I like this film because I too see more with my imagination than with my eyes, and I try to use all my senses when I take a walk in the city as well as the natural world. Those who don't agree won't like this film. Seen at the Toronto international film festival.

I don't know anyone who is blind and I have never interacted with blind people. Edward Hogg was a very convincing blind person (as far as my limited knowledge of blindness goes). Great actor with a lot of charisma. "They look but they don't see" - yes, that should be written on the foreheads of most of us who aren't blind. I think I will appreciate the sounds and scents of life a little bit more from now on after seeing this excellent film - a subject not many have covered in show business. What I would want to know though, is it possible for a blind person to fine tune their other senses so much that they don't need a cane or a dog?

Somewhere in the beautiful, sunny Portugal is a house where the visionless learn how to cope with their disability, guided by a man who has mastered the art of living without using your eyes. For you, as a viewer, it's an interesting venture into the world unknown to you, if only a testimony to what you are taking for granted on a daily basis, and therefore, missing.

Jakimowski has a vision, one he stays to throughout the entire movie, without making it seem stale or boring. There's magic here, and a lesson to be learned. It's a movie with a mission, and whatever that mission could be, it's accomplished; it compels you to listen and open your eyes.

Set in the world of the blind, Imagine is the movie the world of the sighted needs to see.

Avoid like the plague.

Just wanted to write a quick warning, so that you won't be deceived by the hype here, so far. On its favour, I can state the sensibility displayed and the noble cause. And, being a Lisboner myself, it is obviously a very beautiful, soulful and picturesque place to film. Nevertheless, the cinematographer Adam Bajerski did a very interesting job.

OK, that's mostly it. The acting is terrifyingly dull. Starting right with the main actor - I mean, this guy couldn't act if his life depended on it. Cringeworthy. Alexandra Lara, while far from a top-class performer, shows more than enough chops when rightly directed (vide the superb Control). Not the case here. Of course the campy, rather pedestrian dialogue never helps. And its delivery feels ever so awkward, not for once natural or credible. People just don't talk like that. I don't even want to dwell much on the script problems, but why the hell would English, french (and even a German ex-pat) blind children be doing on such a far from luxurious institution in Lisbon? Certainly all the sun and light are not the best treatment for the blind-eye - probably explaining the high blindness rates. You'll very often find yourself bumping into a blind person, whilst walking the streets of Lisbon.

To sum things up, in the hands of the right director this could have definitely been something. Keeping the moody slow rhythm and attention to sounds, but being more demanding with the extras and supporting actors. Even Ian's darker side should have been more wisely explored. Instead you are left with a slow movie, going nowhere, with a somewhat ridiculous script and with weakly handled tension scenes. You'd be better off driving that same 28 tram at the end of the movie and visiting a city far more interesting that its all-too-scenic display.