The Life Before Her Eyes

source: The Life Before Her Eyes

Well, I waited. I yawned. I waited. I yawned. I suppose I was not the target audience, to say the very least. Is this the best Uma Thurman can do? I mean, doesn't someone like Uma Thurman have a pile of scripts a mile high waiting for her perusal? This deep psychological profile of a potential cheerleader gone bad really delved the depths from A to B. I have to say it was one of the most boring films I have ever seen, and I have seen some amazingly boring films. The flashbacks were more like lash(as in being whipped over and over again)backs. The hooker-with-a-heart of gold message is very, very tired. Evan Rachel Wood did, to her credit, make me despise her totally as a fatuous little tart with nothing to offer society. And Eva Amurri did play the counterpoint character of Maureen quite well. She could have been insufferable, given the writing. But she made Maureen human and likable. Uma Thurman was awful. I was reminded of late Bette Davis films. I guess the transition from samurai hellion to neurotic housewife was too demanding for this usually talented actress. This is a "must avoid" film, unless you are blonde, seventeen and very angry at yourself and everyone else. I do not suggest showing this film to a confused adolescent boy with an automatic weapon.

One of the main reasons for picking this up is the star pairing of Uma Thurman and Evan Rachel Wood playing the same character Diana in a tale that explores how lives get changed and affected in a post Columbine styled school shooting. Directed by Vadim Perelman who also helmed The House of Sand and Fog, The Life Before Her Eyes is adapted from the novel by Laura Kasischke, and the first scene sets up the hook beautifully - what if you're caught in a dead end with your best friend, and a gunman? The narrative unfolds in non-linear fashion, which splits the story into two separate threads, one with the younger teenage Diana (Rachel Evan Wood) and her BFF Maureen (Eva Amurri) discussing the usual problems, issues and dreams a teenager would have, and their aspirations in life, and the other putting its focus on the adult Diana (Uma Thurman) now married to a professor and having to raise her child Emma (Gabrielle Brennan) who's quite a handful to handle, providing some mean reminiscence into her own past that she hopes she's able to steer her kid out from that doomed past. In character pieces like this, both lead actresses shine in their respective spheres, with Evan Rachel Wood playing yet again an impetuous youth living life her own way, never hesitating to dabble in sex and drugs, and basically the making all the mistakes that one can make as a teen. The chemistry shared with Eva Amurri was excellently convincing so much so that with the pivotal scene in the bathroom, you're put on the edge of your seat as to the choices that both will make. Which you can partake in if you put yourself in similar shoes, with a gun pointed at you and a chance to live, or die, per your wishes. Uma Thurman tackles her mom role with aplomb, juggling raising a kid with trying to avoid her past which is slowly coming back through flashbacks no thanks to the 15th anniversary of the fateful day in school. It may seem that she's living that perfect life, but the cracks soon show up and little things become opportunities for reminiscence. I suppose as a parent you will try that utmost best to avoid your kid repeating the same mistakes you have made, and will be on the lookout for warning signs. Thurman brings to the table that level of maturity, as well as a sense of paranoia as she tries hard to forget her past. Vadim Perelman created a film that's basically very dreamlike in quality as it deals with themes such as conscience and self-preservation, and crafted the key bathroom scene with ingenuity that keeps you constantly guessing how it will all play out, and pulling his punches at the right time to keep up that level of suspense right up to the end. Production values are purposefully split down the middle to differentiate the landscapes between the two time periods to reflect the lifestyle and mood of Diana and of course to throw clues in addition to what's being done by the narrative, with a haunting soundtrack throughout courtesy of James Horner. Some may not like the how the finale played out but I thought it was refreshingly different from the usual narrative twist attempts. Some may deem it not plausible, but I tend to consider it not as being performed during a single moment, but more of being worked on over a period of time. After all, an idea isn't just conceived and worked on overnight - we tend to think about it at some lengths not necessarily always during the same sitting. Even if you have an inkling of how it will play out, it's the delivery of key scenes and the wonderful dramatic performances that make this way above average. Recommended!

While Rachel is still a young teen herself, ignorant, and gullible, it amazes me that Uma took a film this bad. The story is like something made up for a religious magazine or booklet handout. In short, had I seen this before Juno, I wouldn't have been so hard on Juno. As bad as Juno is, this is easily one of the worst teen films ever made. It doesn't even offer a soundtrack worth listening to unless you include a brief clip of The Zombies "She's Not There". If only the film wasn't there, my time wouldn't have been wasted. Besides the simplistic religious preaching at the core of the story, the worst part may be the attempt to cash in on the interest and curiosity about school shootings. The film provides absolutely no insight into them. If anything, it might promote a school, theater, camera, or TV shooting.

full on copy cat of Elephant and Sixth Sense. too bad because the actors are great. but it drags on and on and when you do catch on you're too bummed to keep watching - but you do because you can't convince yourself that this is a copy-cat film. there is no sense of fullness to the characters or situations - there is randomness - perhaps this is intentional. i really wanted to enjoy this film, but wow, when will academics realize their stories just are not that interesting except to themselves. essentially there is too much selfishness in too many of the characters in these kinds of films for audiences to enjoy. these people are too self involved scripted or unscripted. too bad - because uma is so wasted in this junk.

This was probably the worst film I have seen all year... I watch movies most days of the week and it is not an understatement. And I see the beauty in most films... so much so that even my girlfriend thinks some of the films I enjoy are dreadful. I love Uma Thurman and have no idea why she would do a film this bad... I watched this film due to the reviews I had seen on this site which were blinding. I can't believe there are so many idiotic reviewers on here and no matter how hard I try, i find it impossible to see what they could have got from this film. absolute drivel. Read the book I'm sure it's probably good but this film is not worth the time. I'd prefer to watch daytime cable television... through a shop window!

The Life in her eyes is amazing, a thriller to tell the least, you'll laugh, you might cry (i did), and you will feel a load of emotions toward this movie, which is really why we see movies isn't it? To feel again? This movie is great, the depth of a school shooting survivor dealing with the loss of a best friend, and the twists and turns of this movie make it even more spectacular. I was incredibly confused at the end of the movie, but once you figure it out (it takes a minute, and this site is helpful to read comments after you've seen the movie), like i said once you figure it out, oh how great you will think this movie is. I'm going to buy this movie its that good. Make sure you come into this movie with an open mind because what you think this movie is, it isn't. Enjoy!

This is a story of a 30 something mother who seemingly leads the ideal life: career as an art teacher, successful husband, a nice home, children...but as always, there are skeletons in her closet. You quickly learn that her home life is less than perfect and she is dealing with a haunting past. Flashing back and forth from her childhood to her present adult life, the film tells that she had tragically lost her closest childhood friend in a horrific school shooting. Thinking this was in the past, she went on with her life, but now the tragedy is manifesting itself and causing her to face the truth and face her past. The story is very well done and maintains a realistic quality. I am truly looking forward to seeing it a second time.

How did this movie slip by the general public without rave reviews and heavy box office? Some studio missed making a bundle by not producing and distributing this film. Granted, I watched the DVD, having few choices this week from Netflix and from the first chord of James Horner's mesmerizing musical score, I was drawn in unlike any film I've seen this year and I usually see up in the thousands per year. Uma and Evan Rachel have never been better. The extras on the DVD are spoilers so watch the feature first. I was so entranced by each scene that when the final scene appeared, I didn't have a clue as the script was so tightly written. The novel's author was first a poet and her hand at prose is equally as good. I watched it a second time immediately to watch for clues and flaws...there were none. The director, DP, writer, set designer, and the entire cast are ALL Oscar worthy. Maybe the Independent Spirit Awards will heap honors on it next winter. I can see how the film might turn off teen viewers, but to regular adult moviegoers, do NOT miss this movie!

Well, I don't usually muster up the energy to post reviews on IMDb, but frankly, after seeing all of the glowing reviews on here, I felt compelled to get the word out, as I'm sure there are people who share my point of view on this film. I really don't mean to come across as unnecessarily harsh or critical, but this was probably the worst film I've seen in the past year. Yes, even worse than the latest studio offerings such as Vantage Point and 21. You know how you go into a movie, and about ten minutes in, you get that horrible but ever-present "oh my god, this movie is going to be terrible" feeling? That's pretty much what this film's wholly unrealistic dialog and incredibly heavy-handed score brought out in me. Add on a number of overly-convenient plot points (let's have the character turn on the radio just as an expository news report is broadcast), a LOT of contrived pathos, an exploitation of columbine, and the most absurd and atrocious ending which makes the film go from bad to immeasurably worse... and you have "Life Before Her Eyes." And note - I enjoyed House of Sand and Fog. I'll finish this up by saying that Evan Rachel Wood's performance, in spite of the horrible dialog she had to work with, was pretty good, all things considered. Someone needs to get this girl some good material so she can truly shine.