At First Sight (1999)

In this case, seeing is not believing

Between the tear-jerking excesses of two of the Christmas season's biggest movies, Patch Adams and Stepmom,you'd think that even the staunchest fans of those caring-and-sharing medical weepers would have reached their limit. But here comes At First Sight,which is not quite so life-and- death, but it's just as determined, in its modest way, to milk those tear ducts dry. In this case, though, the scientific context of the movie -- about a blind man who regains his sight with unexpected repercussions -- makes for a subject considerably more interesting than the romantic drama to which it is attached.

At First Sight is based on the writings of neurologist Oliver Sacks (the movie Awakenings was adapted from his work as well). It tells the true story of a 50-year- old blind man named Virgil who works as a YMCA masseur. On the eve of his wedding, he has cataracts removed, which allows him to see for the first time in 40 years. The experience, however, turns out to be more painful than joyful. As Sacks notes, the questions raised are profound, and have interested philosophers from John Locke to George Berkeley. Is sight a learned activity? What is the relationship between a world understood through touch and one understood through sight?
The basic facts have been moulded into a trite romance that could easily fit between a pair of Harlequin covers. Unfortunately, the film glosses over the science and deliberately avoids some of the odder aspects of the original case. Virgil, on gaining his sight, also managed to pack on about 50 pounds; stress made him eat. Somehow, though, you don't expect a star of Val Kilmer's magnitude to take the Raging Bull route to character authenticity through poundage.

Instead, what we have is a story of a woman who discovers the perfect man, almost loses him, and then regains him. Mira Sorvino plays Amy Benic, a hot-shot New York architect, who heads off for a spa weekend in a charming New England village. Before she knows it, a hunky masseur has her calf muscles in his hands and has her melting like warm butter under his probing fingers. Entranced, she returns for further rubdowns until one day she approaches Mr. Magic Fingers as he's getting on a bus and discovers -- omigod! -- he's blind.

After a brief Internet search, Amy discovers that Virgil doesn't necessarily have to be blind, and she lands a top surgeon (Bruce Davison) to cure the problem. It turns out that Virgil is a bit reluctant, and his sister Jennie (Kelly McGillis) is downright hostile to the idea of improving her brother's lot. Love wins, though, and Virgil agrees to undergo the treatment. Soon, Virgil and Amy are sharing her New York apartment. But Virgil, who has accommodated himself quite well as a blind man, is now a very inadequate sighted man, who can't read or write or interpret even the most basic social signals. He's miserable trying to learn how to see again, and the relationship goes into a tailspin.

Much of the dialogue, during these dreary lovers' quarrels, focuses on blindness in love and living with one's blind spots and limitations (she has a too-symbolic chunk of unfinished sculpture she started in college). Nathan Lane pops up in the role of a wise and funny counsellor, the sort of part that usually goes to Robin Williams. "Isn't seeing wonderful," he says to Virgil, when he takes him to a strip club. "Seeing sucks," says a disconsolate Virgil. Roll over, George Berkeley, and tell John Locke the news.

Director Irwin Winkler (Night and the City)is rarely better than pedestrian in handling this story. At worst, the dramatic elements are plain clumsy.

The most interesting moments in At First Sight have nothing to do with the love story, but rise instead from Virgil's struggles with the social rules of seeing. What do facial expressions mean? How do we learn to look away from the homeless? There are a few moments that try to capture Virgil's viewpoint -- lights, glare, moving shapes -- that are as useful as anything the movie has to say about the conventions of seeing. Given the rich visual opportunities of such a topic, it seems a great waste the movie wasn't directed by someone with a more astute eye. Conrad Alton, Filmbay Editor. July 21, 2008

Indrukwekkende film

Oliver Sacks' To See and not See over het leven van Barbara en Shirl Jennings vormde de basis van At First Sight, waarin Val Kilmer een sinds z'n 8e blinde jongen Virgil speelt. Ogenschijnlijk geheel gewend aan zijn blindheid masseert hij vrouwen in een kuuroord. Mira Sorvino is als Mary, gescheiden van Duncan, gestresst van het werk, wanneer ze Virgil ontmoet en voor hem valt.

Parallel aan de groei van hun relatie, ondergaat Virgil een revolutionaire oogoperatie, waarna hij weer kan zien. Maar daarmee ontstaat ook de noodzaak van visueel geheugentraining, objecten herkennen, diepte en perspectief zien, kortom niet alleen zien, maar ook kijken, herkennen, inbeelden.

Een knappe film over zien, geloven, de spanning die zo'n verandering als voorheen blind, nu kunnen zien, geeft, uiteraard gemengd met romantiek, de kracht van aanraking en de vanzelfsprekendheden van ziende mensen.

Hoewel de film alweer in 1999 werd uitgebracht, kan een huur in de videotheek of bibliotheek anno 2008 je een indrukwekkend avondje bezorgen. February 24, 2008

Ridiculous

What a stupid movie. Val Kilmer obviously has no idea how a blind person behaves and has no ability to portray a blind person. Kilmer and Sorvino have no chemistry. The entire story never rose above uninteresting and laughable. I think this film is an insult to blind people, as it portrays them as naive idiots. Spare yourself and avoid this stinker. If you want to see a good film about the blind watch A Patch of Blue,Wait Until Dark, or even Dancer in the Dark. These films portray the blind as strong, intelligent and also importantly, interesting. December 20, 2007

Second worst movie I ever saw!

It goes on and on and on. First he has an idiotic smile on his face so we'll know how happy and well adjusted he is. Then this film slips into soft-core porn. The pacing is off by about two-thirds (WAY too slow to hold my interest) and then they bring in a so-called therapist who is insulting and completely inappropriate and keeps saying, "Just kidding!" These are usually very good actors, but don't waste your time even if you're a fan of Dr. Sacks work. You'll be disappointed AND bored. August 30, 2006

Wonderfully unusual and satisfying

Lovely little movie that brought tears to my eyes at its' unexpected ending. This is one for a rainy night under the afghan, snuggling with the boyfriend. Val Kilmer is charmingly believable as blind Virgil in what he's said was his most challenging role to date. He shines in this, using his velvet voice and body language to full advantage; the rest of the cast is also steller. Who wouldn't fall for Mira Sorvino as Amy?

Personally, I'd never seen Kilmer smile before as much as he does in the film, and he sure made me smile. Virgil is independent, aware, self-effacing, witty in his own, sightless comfort zone; take him out of it and he behaves pretty much as someone suddenly blind would.

The film is an interesting statement on perspective and the human condition. Highly enjoyable. April 6, 2006

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