Angel Eyes (2001)

Sadly Over-hyped

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

When I look around at reviews of movies on this site I honestly wonder if I am seeing the same films.Angel Eyes is one of those curiously (and, in my opinion, unjustly) maligned films which is actually a great deal more complex than the naysayers would have you believe.Jennifer Lopez has rarely been better. She strikes all the right notes as a feisty, and lonely, Chicago cop, Sharon Pogue who has made some difficult choices in her life and finds herself at a crossroads, alienated from her family.She meets "Catch" when he saves her life during an arrest that goes wrong. These two lonely individuals are at odds with life, carrying a great deal of personal pain, and they gravitate together perhaps recognising a need in each other.Jim Caviezel is superb as Catch. He has the right qualities of subtlety and stillness to make us believe in the damaged soul that Catch is.This is a lovely, understated film about loss, loneliness and the redemption of love. Well worth a watch.

Once again, Jennifer Lopez proves that she is a wonderful actress. Ms. Lopez truly the star of the movie. Also, the story itself is good and there is a strong performance by Jim Caveziel. This movie explores some very sensitive subjects ... death, loneliness, grief ... as well as renewal, restoration and redemption. At times the movie borders on sentimentality but manages to avoid that pitfall as Ms. Lopez's fine performance transcends any weaknesses contained in the script and transforms this movie into something special. A man experiences devastating personal loss, a woman has unrequited anger, both are alone yet both overcome their personal issues to come together and move forward in their lives. When managed correctly and respectfully, these themes are the ingredients that make for a good movie and in this case it works.

The scene when Catch is playing, "Nature Boy" on the trumpet at the jazz club is just so genuine & touching. A big applause to the real musicians that were playing the tune.The Director might have made it a little less subtle of how Steve takes the name, "Catch" after the accident. It is the last word he hears his son say as he is throwing the toy in the car before he is killed. "Dad...'catch'."The way the film deals with domestic violence & how it can tear a family a part at its foundation but then is glossed over for appearances seems to be right on the mark. And despite the renewal of her parent's wedding vows, the underlying problem isn't going to go away.

Surprisingly moving film with Lopez proving she is more than just her looks for a change. It's an early chance to see the guy who was later to play Jesus Caveziel. The director creates a touching scene when they are at the relative's graveside. Lopez plays a woman alone in Chicagio with no real friends until the shy man (Cavaziel) comes into it. They form a rapport over their shared insomnia. They start a disastrous relationship as it is afflicted with a cat and mouse game with both playing hot and cold. Because of their isolation and loneliness, the film is concerned with the need with forgiveness of self and others, reconciliation and redemption through a relationship. This is demonstrated through Cavaziel's previous secret life which he is running away from like the Lopez character. I can recommend this movie as I really enjoyed an intelligent and psychological work that had the courage to direct Lopez in something more challenging than popcorn liked Anaconda. Prior to this the most convincing thing I'd seen her in was in a couple of sketches by the actor Stephen Armourae and that was just pencil, paper and pastel. I hope she continues to be cast in these more demanding roles.