Eye of the Beholder
Grade: D
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Ashley Judd, Genevieve Bujould, k.d. Lang, and Jason Priestly
Director: Stephen Elliot


It is a sure thing, Eye of the Beholder is a horrible movie. It's an empty-yet-convoluted film with big starts (Judd and McGregor) and semi-high profile director (Stephan Elliot). No one knows going on, where it's happening, or even why it's happening.

It tells the story of the Eye (McGregor) who is a spy for the British Embassy. As we learn later on, he has been scarred emotionally for life by his wife and daughter having left him. Well, he's given an assignment (it's just some fluff thing that acts as a set-up for him to see Joanna Eris--Judd). So, he meets her and it turns out that she's a femme fatale. She has been leaving a trail of dead bodies (of rich men) and different costumes across the United States for 10 years. For some reason, the Eye, sees his daughter in this murderous woman and decides, "Hey! I think I'll follow her for no good reason at all!"

The film does explain why Joanna acts in this way, but it's too half-assed for us to care. Her dad left her on Christmas as a child, so now she goes from state to state killing middle aged men and screaming "Merry Christmas, daddy!" Sounds good, huh? I, and many others, beg to differ.

The problem (well, one of them at least) is that Joanna jetsets all over the place, and the Eye follows her like a lost dog. Okay, problem number one with that: they never say where she's going and why. Problem number two with that: they never explain why he's following her, except that he sees his daughter in her. Also, we know that he's obsessed with her (and who wouldn't be obsessed with Ashley Judd?), but what else? These reasons are not substantial enough. Is he bored? Does he half a lot of time on his hands? What? The film doesn't answer any questions the viewing audience might (and probably does) have. And while doing that, the film not only confuses, but alienates the audience from everything on screen. The back stories feel liked they're tacked on, only to try to make us feel for the characters. But alas, like "The Skulls", "Eye of the Beholder" just tries too hard, and not in an ambitious way either.

But, with all these faults, the film does have some (minimal) upsides. The cinematography is gorgeous. Everything looks crisp and clear. The music keeps the humdrum story moving along (somewhat). And for the guys, we get Ashley Judd--a whole lotta Ashley if you get my drift. This is easily her most insignificant role I've seen her in, but at least she does something with the role. Her co-star on the other hand...

The ladies (and some of the guys) have Ewan McGregor ("Shallow Grave, Episode One") to look at. But if you thought he was bland in "Episode One," you better not watch this. He sits there like a bump on a log. He does nothing to try to get us to feel anything for him or his situation. He ultimately contributes to the film's downfall. Watch out, also, for a good cameo by Genevieve Bojould ("The House of Yes").

There really is no plot or point to "Eye of the Beholder." There is a strong theme of obsession, but theme and plot are two different things. Like McGregor, "Beholder" just sits there. It has no motivation, no life, no nothing. There's nothing of any substance here to sustain even one hour, let along an hour and forty minutes, Sometimes, I just wonder why some films get made in the first place.

To sum things up, Stephan Elliot crafts a good looking yet bland film with a problematic script and boring title character.


-Brian Jones, 2000/2001