The eyes have it.

"At First Sight"
Overall Rating: ***½

Though the phrase "based on a true story" is most associated with TV networks' "movie of the week," lately, it seems to be popping up a lot on the big screen. Recently, we've had "Patch Adams" and "A Civil Action." Now, "At First Sight" joins them.

Amy Benic (Mira Sorvino) is a stressed-out architect who goes to the Bear Mountain Inn--a health spa--to relax. There, she falls in love with her masseur, Virgil Adamson (Val Kilmer). Virgil is handsome and charming; he has also been blind since he was three years old, and has one visual memory (of "clouds he could touch"). When Amy reads about a new treatment that is able to restore his sight, the questions become can Virgil learn to use the vision he has never had, and can he cope with Amy's desire to help?

The premise is interesting. Throughout the film, you're wondering whether either the romance or the treatment will work. The two play off of each other nicely. You get involved with the story on a personal level; I found myself hoping things would work out for the characters throughout. One thing which helps build that sympathy is a significant use of subjective camera--including blurs and blackouts, that help show what Virgil is going through.

"At First Sight" probably would have been a disaster had not Val Kilmer successfully handled the part of Virgil Adamson. Kilmer had to play scenes where Virgil was blind, and even more difficult (because, as the movie points out, it's unusual), the scenes where Virgil is learning what to make of his new sense. His performance is star caliber--the true highlight being the scene where Virgil first sees his reflection in a mirror. Even more important, he does not make Virgil into a pitiable character; with his performance, you can understand the conflicts caused when Amy wants to help Virgil see, despite the fact that Virgil doesn't feel the void. Though not as outstanding as Kilmer, Mira Sorvino and Kelly McGillis (who plays Virgil's sister Jennie) are good, and are able to pull off the wide range of emotions their characters experience. Nathan Lane also has an interesting small part as Phil Webster, a man who runs a school for the blind and tries to help Virgil--though as he points out, Virgil must learn to interpret what he sees on his own.

The real problem with "At First Sight" is that it never completely lives up to its potential. As intriguing as the story is, it does drag a bit in places--particularly in the beginning; in the very early stages of Virgil's and Amy's affair, the pace is just too slow. The cinematography, also, is good but not great; though the subjective camera shots work well, "At First Sight" isn't the most spectacular film to watch. "At First Sight;" is enjoyable and interesting, but just about everything is good without being great.

I wouldn't recommend "At First Sight" for children; there is some bad language and a significant number of nude scenes--several sex scenes and a scene in a strip club, though practically all the nude shots are from the back and waist up. Children will also probably be bored by the film's emphasis on the romance. Teenagers may appreciate and enjoy "At First Sight," but young children will probably think it's "schmaltzy."

"At First Sight" is a movie that tells a story. Whatever else is good or bad about the film, it's a good story. "At First Sight" is definitely a film to see.

Title: "At First Sight"
Release date: January, 1999
MPAA rating: PG-13
Overall rating: ***½
Aprox. run time: 129 min.
Director: Irwin Winkler
Writers: Steve Levitt, Oliver Sacks, M.D. (story)
Stars: Val Kilmer, Mira Sorvino, Kelly McGillis

Original URL: http://www.geocities.com/reviewsbyjohn/1stsight.htm
Added to blog site: 7/26/09