Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW

Eye of the Beholder

also known as “Voyeur,” “Das Auge,” “Obsesión,” “El ojo del observador,” “Um Olhar Obsessivo,” “Ojos que te acechan,” “Sedução Fatal,” “The Eye - lo sguardo”
MPA Rating: R-Rating (MPA) some strong violence, sexuality, language and brief drug content.

Reviewed by: Brandon Johnson
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Very Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Adults
Genre: Romance Mystery Thriller Drama Remake
Length: 1 hr. 47 min.
Year of Release: 1999
USA Release: January 28, 2000 (wide—1,751 theaters)
Copyright, Destination Film Distribution Corp. click photos to ENLARGE
Relevant Issues
Scene from “Eye of the Beholder”

female serial killer

murder in the Bible

death

sin and the depravity of man

goodness and righteousness

Featuring Ewan McGregor, Ashley Judd, K.D. Lang, Jason Priestley, Genevieve Bujold
Director Stephan Elliott
Producer Nicolas Clermont, Tony Smith
Distributor Destination Films

“Eye of the Beholder” is a mystery of a movie from beginning to end. With no clear details about either of the main characters I found it hard to stay interested in the plot. There were obviously high expectations of a quality film from fans of Ashley Judd and Ewan McGregor. But “Eye of the Beholder” is a huge letdown that seems to take the moviegoer everywhere, yet nowhere, at the same time.

The movie tells a story of a man (Ewan McGregor) that works for a secret agency (that is never revealed), who while on a stakeout, instantly falls in love with a woman. This happens as he is spying on her and watching her kill her male companion. Ashley Judd (“Double Jeopardy”) plays the woman who murders many men throughout the film. McGregor follows Judd’s character throughout, helping her to get away from the authorities many times, without her knowledge. The rest of the film consists of glimpses into the main characters pasts’, which I assume are the writers attempt at explaining their murderous behavior.

Ashley Judd in Eye of the BeholderThe material of this movie is very offensive, mostly consisting of very violent murders, nudity, and plenty of bad language… all wrapped up with a disturbing cast of characters. The only plus in “Eye of the Beholder” is the moviemaking itself. The director makes you feel as if you are being taken on a flight with every new scene. Unfortunately, every flight goes nowhere as the movie leaves most viewers that I’ve spoken to with a sense of depression.

Overall, the plot is not interesting, at all. The characters are a very sick display of all that God teaches us to stay away from. And finally, “Eye of the Beholder” is a movie that will make your heart feel disturbed spiritually, as it did to my wife and I.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive
Positive—I don’t mind being out of step with the other opinions expressed here, and, for the sake of balance, would offer my own… that this is a quirky gem of a film and a breath of fresh air compared to the usual Hollywood dross. Yes, the characters are amoral, tortured and confused. No, of course, you won’t be using them as role models.

But the fact that you can empathise eventually with them is a mark of the quality of actors and director. Depraved, fallen humanity is not a pretty sight. Feeling compassion for it is something that Jesus was—and is—known for. This film encouraged compassion in me for the main protagonists—it may do for you.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Nicholas Scott, age 58 (England)
Negative
An extremely disappointing movie. I expected more from Ashley Judd and Ewan McGregor, but this was a HORRIBLE movie (emphasis on horrible). Poor plot, no resolution, completely depressing. My first thought after it was over, was, “What was that about?” I still have no idea. I wonder if Hollywood is applauding this junk as “art?” Don’t bother. This movie has absolutely no redeeming qualities. My Ratings: [Extremely Offensive / 4]
Clark Peters, age 43
What a disappointment. We can’t afford to go to the movies very often and unfortunately picked this one. There were many questionable scenes—no doubt. But what made it even worse is it had no plot. There were so many chances for the movie to shine, and it missed every one. Don’t waste your time or money! My Ratings: [1½/1]
Jennifer Hudson, age 29
My wife and I went to see this bummer this past weekend. We thought it would be good mystery movie. Ashley Judd was exploited in her first starring role by appearing in numerous nude and semi-nude scenes combined with violence and bloody gore. The plot is unclear and the viewers’ logic has to be stretched to make sense of the movie. On a scale of 1 to 10, I give it a 2! Sorry Miss Judd, you are a promising actress.
Bob, age 52
Save your money! This movie replaces “Ishtar” as the movie that most made me say, “That’s it? Why did I sit through that?” If there is a plot to this movie, it still makes no sense and the great acting talent is so wasted. My Ratings: [1/3]
Stephanie Hanson, age 42
As a Christian, you don’t want to waste your time with this movie. There is too much sex and killing in it. It breeds a spirit of confusion and the end was just as bad as the beginning. A complete waste and not recommended for any who name the name of Christ. My Ratings: [1/2]
Rev. D.S.B., age 41
Eye of the Beholder” was the worst movie I have seen in a long time. At first I hard I hard time figuring out what was going on. It was a slow movie. I wouldn’t even advise anyone to rent this when it comes out on video. My Ratings: [1/1]
Kathy, age 43
Comments from young people
Eye of the Beholder” started out good then slowly went downhill. The movie resolved nothing; the viewer is none the wiser at the end of the movie than the start. This is a shame, for Ashley Judd is an excellent actress, and Ewan McGregor is a wonderful actor who has shone in many a movie. Yet even McGregor cannot save this disappointing film. My Ratings: [3/2]
Suzanne, age 16
Movie Critics
…writer-director Stephan Elliott …set out to make a perverse, damned romance about a watcher who loses all perspective. Just as clearly, he fell into the same trap.
Ty Burr, Entertainment Weekly
…a mixed-genre detective pic, thriller and love story that shifts gears too often and doesn’t know when to end.
Deborah Young, Variety