| If you can imagine "The X-Files" with Richard Gere | | | | the lives of everyday people, or is it about changing |
| and Laura Linney in the lead roles, then you have a | | | | the course of the future? It seems that the lack of |
| fairly accurate description of what to expect from | | | | fusion between these two underlying themes of the |
| "The Mothman" Prophecies. Based on events that | | | | film mean that they should have been separated in to |
| occurred in Point Pleasant, West Virginia in the United | | | | two different films, because they give off two |
| States, this effectively creepy, but meandering piece | | | | different tones that conflict when put together. They |
| of work follows the investigation in to a series of | | | | are both intriguing, but since they do not come together |
| paranormal occurrences in the small town by | | | | very well, the dramatic thrust does not work. As for |
| Washington journalist John Klein as he is mysteriously | | | | the "Mothman" itself, there is only one sighting in the |
| drawn in to the strange things going on to the | | | | entire film (the opening car accident sequence), and |
| residents, who are otherwise normal and sane people. | | | | one eye witness account. The rest of the film brings |
| The film is very atmospheric, going for spine-tingling | | | | up spooky voices, weird voicemail messages and "oh |
| chills rather than cattle-prod horror movie scares, and | | | | my god, it came true!" moments. Again, watching the |
| the performances of the two stars are quite strong. | | | | film is not a waste of time because it covers some |
| However, director Mark Pellington does not quite focus | | | | interesting territory, but more work on finding a clear |
| the narrative enough to fully drive home the | | | | theme would have made it great. |
| paranormal aspects to the story, leaving a film that is | | | | Richard Gere and Laura Linney do very respectable |
| very watchable, but at the same time, not overtly | | | | jobs in their starring roles, grounding the film in a reality |
| satisfying by its conclusion. "The Mothman Prophecies" | | | | that could have easily not been there given the |
| is an interesting film, but is forgettable after you've | | | | fantastical nature of the plot. This is especially true of |
| finished it. | | | | Gere, particularly in the moments when he begins to |
| Although this film is based on actual events that | | | | communicate with the entities via his hotel room phone; |
| occurred in the 1960's, director Pellington has chosen to | | | | a couple of creepy moments where he looks at |
| disregard much of the detail surrounding those events | | | | himself in the mirror are some of the best in the film, |
| (apparently there were UFOs and Men In Black in the | | | | but his ability to make you believe in the weirdness of it |
| true story), instead focusing on the sightings of the | | | | all is commendable. Likewise Linney has to play in to |
| "Mothman" and the Point Pleasant bridge collapse to | | | | this as well, and her grand moment comes at the end |
| hang his fictional story of journalist Richard Klein | | | | of the film when she finally understands the meaning |
| (Richard Gere) and his investigation of what is | | | | of a premonition she had in a dream. It's a moment |
| happening. The film begins with a fairly hum-drum | | | | that she plays very well. Most of the acting moments |
| romance subplot which takes an unexpected and | | | | in this film are quite strong, however, the subplot |
| incredibly dramatic turn when Klein's wife suffers | | | | involving a professor who has experience with the |
| major head injuries in a car accident after she sees | | | | "Mothman" does not work too well, largely due to the |
| the Mothman flying straight at her. The scene itself is | | | | annoying direction that character takes as he 'explains' |
| quite chilling and sets the film off on a strong course, | | | | (or doesn't) the situation to Klein. |
| with Klein disturbed by the eerie drawings made be his | | | | The visuals, soundtrack and production design are |
| wife in hospital of the "Mothman". He picks up the case | | | | absolutely first rate, giving a unique, rich and three |
| two years later when he unknowingly drives all the | | | | dimensional aspect to the film. The swooping shots |
| way through the night to Point Pleasant, drawn by the | | | | from the sky are particularly effective, giving the |
| same entity which has been witnessed by dozens of | | | | impression of something watching over the Point |
| locals. Given the connection to his wife's experience, | | | | Pleasant town's people. The music is effectively |
| Klein begins to investigate; an investigation which turns | | | | creepy as well. As I mentioned in the opening to this |
| in to obsession when he discovers that the paranormal | | | | review, the whole exercise feels like an X-Files |
| sightings are linked to premonitions and prophecies of | | | | episode, but without the clarity needed to drive the |
| disaster which he believes he can avert if he can | | | | dramatic points home. |
| understand the paranormal occurrences. | | | | "The Mothman Prophecies" is a good film to watch, but |
| For a spooky thriller, the film has a lot going for it, but | | | | it does not hit the ball out of the park, and in some |
| the film does meander and lose focus as it | | | | instances, struggles to hit the ball at all. It would make |
| progresses, largely because it cannot find a balance | | | | for a decent X-Files episode, but I suspect Mulder and |
| between the paranormal sightings and the idea of | | | | Scully may have done better any way. |
| premonitions. Is the film about strange entities impacting | | | | |