October 4, 2006
Eye of God
Reviewer: Alex Brinkman
Rating (out of 5): ****
Tim Blake Nelson, better known for his hilarious role as Delmar in O Brother Where Art Thou, made his directorial debut in 1997 with the fine independent film Eye of God. A man gets out of prison and marries his correspondence sweetheart; the rash decision to get married turns out to be a bad call(that's not the surprising part of this imminent train-wreck film). Martha Plimpton plays a young wife surprised by the more possessive and violent nature displayed by her recently born-again, ex-convict husband. Meanwhile, an already troubled young man (played by Nick Stahl of Carnivale and Sin City) witnesses a terrible murder. A jumpy chronology arcs this dual story in a mix of flashbacks and seemingly random scenes all brought together by the kind of tragedy that leads to anger, regret and a sense of hopelessness. In Eye of God redemption comes and goes fleetingly reflecting in a naturalistic manner the true tragedy of life, death and humanity's darker side. As an examination of evil, the film succeeds with a frightening accuracy, granting humanity to a murderer, indicting all of us along with him. Eye of God rises above political issues to express its view of a human condition that can only be heard as a song of lament; longing for something better, an expression made all the more hauntingly beautiful by its asymmetry.
Posted by cphillips at October 4, 2006 3:51 PMAlex--
When I first ssw "Eye of God," I had no idea who Tim Blake Nelson was or that he directed this wonderful film. (Very good review, too, by the way!) Thanks for bringing this Nelson fact to my (and others') attention.
Have you seen "Cherish"--with Robin Tunney and Nelson (in what may be his first and only leading man role, and he's great, as usual)?
--Jim van Maanen
Cherish is an underrated movie, too, you're right Jim. One of the few good indies to be shot in the Bay Area over the past few years that I can recall, and the cast is good. Nelson, however, will probably forever be linked to and remembered as Delmar.
Posted by: Craig P at October 13, 2006 10:10 AM
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