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Angel Eyes 2001 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Luis Mandoki
PG-13, 102 min. (profanity, violence, sexuality) |
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Starring: Jennifer Lopez, James Caviezel, Terence Howard, Sonia Braga, Alfonso Arau, J.J. Evans, Shirley Knight
Producers: Mark Canton, Bruce Berman, Elie Samaha
Screenplay: Gerald Di Pego
Cinematography: Piotr Sobocinski
Distributor: Warner Brothers
Released: 5.18.01 (Wide) |
Rating:
  (out of ) |
Despite its complete deception in its previews, Angel Eyes turns into a decent film despite some obvious heavy-handedness by
the director. One might have thought this film would have had more to do with the supernatural or mystical after viewing previews
for it, but it turns into a complex, yet sad movie about two people dealing with tragedies in their lives and how love can help
heal those wounds. The title seems a little out of place for this picture, but that's not really important anyway. Jennifer Lopez,
who is quickly becoming a solid actress, teams with Jim Caviezel (The Thin Red Line) to give a convincing portrayal of two
people helping each other in the healing process.
Lopez plays Sharon Pogue, a tough Chicago police officer trying to cope with being the scapegoat for her
father's arrest for wife abuse. Her decision to turn him in has cost her his love, and her other family members are also
displeased with her and distant (except for her mother, wonderfully played by Sonia Braga). Sharon comes across an
accident at the beginning of the film where she helps a man named Catch (Caviezel) stay conscious (we don't actually see
him, just see Sharon from his perspective). The film cuts ahead a year later as Catch comes across her again, and begins to
follow her. He saves her life from a thug, and she immediately is intrigued with him and they begin to see each other. She
is torn between trying to figure Catch out and her own family problems, which have culminated in her parents renewing their
vows. Both Catch and Sharon help each other through their problems and eventually fall in love.
Lopez is clearly the center of this film, and she is asked to play a difficult part, one in which many actresses would have
quickly fizzled under the weight of convincing emotions. She is tough, as evidenced by her beating up suspects from time to time
(obviously a result of her father), yet at the same time gentle and caring for Catch. A role like this is not for first time actors,
and although this is not Lopez's debut - she was also impressive in Out of Sight - she handles it like a veteran of many
difficult roles. To be honest, I'm not sure music should be her primary career because she definitely has the makings of a
fine actress.
Jim Caviezel's performance could be easily missed because everyone's eyes are on Lopez, but they would be missing a fine
effort. This emotionally distraught and closed-up man is dealing with a devastating loss that is not made clear until the end
of the film, and his strange lifestyle and quiet demeanor make perfect sense for someone dealing with this tragedy. Until that
point, however, you are just as frustrated with him as Lopez is, trying to figure out what is wrong with him. Lopez comes along
at the right time to help him deal with these emotions and to begin the healing process. There were several times when I was
reminded of his powerful performance in The Thin Red Line.
This is far from a perfect film - several times I wondered why director Luis Mandoki was so determined to pull at the audience's
emotions in almost every scene. There are times when it's not needed; just plain conversation is enough. And the final
scene of the film definitely needed a re-write. However, I thought his overall direction was good, and he let the characters
play out their roles without too much interference.
Angel Eyes will not appeal to everyone - some will find it overbearing and depressing. But it does accomplish what
it sets out to do, mainly tell the story of two people who find some healing in the other's company. The cat and mouse game
between Lopez and Caviezel is fun to watch, and is ultimately the most entertaining part of the film. This film seems out of
place during the summer movie season, but it is a nice change of pace with a serious story.
© 2001 Jonathan Cornwell
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 |
 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
| Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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