Look Into My Eyes

A group of professional psychics advise their clients on-camera, while at other times the psychics bare their own souls to an interviewer seated off-camera. True believers may love this stuff, cynics may scoff at it, and the open-minded may at least be willing to give it a chance--an attitude that will no doubt be helped by the sheer drama and compelling nature of the stories themselves. One psychic reveals that she went into the business following the sudden death of her mother; another joined the ranks of "animal psychics" when, out of sorts and at a crossroads in her life, she read something about that aspect of the business and decided to give it a try. (The notion of communicating with pets--especially dead ones--might be the most hard-to-swallow part of the whole movie.) Many of the pros have been struggling to make a go of it in the arts--as actors, writers, or otherwise--they all seem to live in modest New York City apartments, and everybody, medium and client alike, has suffered abuse or experienced the death of a loved one or is burdened by dreams deferred. They're all alone and lonely, partner-free and quietly desperate. "Look Into My Eyes" is not for everyone, but if you think you might enjoy a talking heads documentary about a fringe profession that features seances and the like--not to mention the troubled folks who are grateful that the profession exists--it's most definitely the movie to see. Surprisingly absorbing and thoroughly watchable, even if you're a (moderate) cynic like me.

In the film *Look Into My Eyes*, a doctor consults a psychic to help her process the death of a little girl who died in her ER. Is this seemingly intelligent woman deluded? Are any of the clients who seek out those who profess to have otherworldly powers out of their minds for doing so? And what about these so-called magic people? Do they truly believe in their ability to speak with the dead and see into the future? The film doesn't ask.

Instead, this documentary on psychics who work around Manhattan doesn't judge its subjects. Rather, the viewer is simply presented with people (most of whom are frustrated, if not failed, actors) who are as confused and hurting as anyone who feels the need for supernatural guidance.

Personally, I appreciated the lack of judgment throughout the picture. By not putting anyone on the defensive, we are allowed to glimpse this world with the mask off. None of the clairvoyants seem confident in their alleged powers. They all express doubt. One man is devastated when his attempt to read someone fails spectacularly, appearing genuinely hurt when his talent falters.

In fact, the sadness throughout the film is hard to miss. As the movie reaches its conclusion, one thing becomes clear: we all carry a lot of trauma, and some of us are willing to try anything to resolve it. Humans don't want to believe that bad things happen just because they happen. We are desperate to make the incomprehensible make sense. And people don't care if you have to fabricate answers to give them that solace. After all, which would you prefer: a world where a little girl is shot dead and that's the end, or one where her death is the beginning of a brand new adventure?

Of course, death is death. No, you don't go on to other things when you take your last breath. But while that may be the truth, the truth doesn't always set you free.

The trailer promises a new look at the world of psychic readings, but what we get are sometimes too-intimate looks at the lives of a series of scammers who sell the illusion of talking to the dead or to pets or to dead pets in order to comfort people who are emotionally fragile and clearly not the sharpest knives in the rack.

That suckers go to psychics for succor is no great revelation, although this documentary seems to think it is, and then it goes to pains to say that's okay. In that very modern falsehood of thinking validating everyone's feeling is a good idea. Maybe just tell the person, "Hey, your dog's probably dead, but who knows?" and let them live in reality. Don't too many of us hang on to deception? Isn't that part of the reason we're descending into a totalitarian regime in 2025?

While no names or narration are given to guide us, the documentary all but exposes each of the "psychics" as hucksters, many of whom seem mentally ill and who narcissistically see only their own pains in everyone elses's. Other just seem like empathetic people who spout feel-good nonsense as band-aids, and you have to wonder what their clients really think afterward. But we never hear from them.

It's very telling that many of the fleecers portrayed here talk openly about their dreams of art and acting. It seems that while they never made it to Broadway, they all found their stages, given the lovely size of many of their apartments.

It's also telling that they all come from disempowered, disenfranchised communities (women, gay, African American), a sad reminder of how effective is the brainwashing done by the elite and/or religion (in this case, the delusion of an afterlife and of magic).

I for one always like watching interesting docs and this "Look Into My Eyes" was one that was no different as it follows thru interviews and chat sessions with several different "New York City" residents all who have had life experiences that involve lost loved ones who have left to soon. And many recount how these loses have affected their personal lives and thru talking with and becoming clients of psychics this has helped them function more and better. Also from acting, singing, and expressing feelings thru art drawings this too helps with each loss and dealing with life in the spirit world of tarot cards, and the supernatural that could exist in the form of the gone loved ones that they miss. The film is touching, heart warming, and brings out emotions proving that connections thru talk, expression, and belief in the spirit world brings help and hope.

Like most people in life, both the "psychics" and clients in this film need emotional attention, want to feel special, and find meaning in life. The answers to our biggest questions in life are unanswerable. The heavy-duty theatrical theme and overly dramatic moments that run through this documentary reveals a complete lack of credibility. Anyone can use their intuition, empathy, and compassion to help people seeking solace. People with confidence who are in tune with themself and their environment can logically work out issues and found solutions. If you want to have a psychic reading for fun, go ahead. If you need a help to work out a situation, talk to someone you know and trust. If you're grappling with real trauma, please seek help from someone with a Master's Degree in Counseling.