Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / Feb. 4, 1994, edition 1 / Page 12
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)t (gutltorbian 12 Blink satisfies with old plot Catherine Jernigan Staff Writer Recognize this story? The attrac tive cop/lawyer falls in love with the extremely attractive witness/ suspect/client and, after a harrow ing confrontation with the homi cidal maniac/ tense trial scene, the handsome couple lives happily ever after. Apparently, the crimi nal justice system is responsible for more happy couples than com puter dating services. Everybody knows this premise is completely stale, but Blink feigns ignorance towards its hackneyed plot line and saves itself with some clever twists. Most notably, the witness in this case is blind. Well, not quite. Emma Brody (Madeline Stowe) has been completely without sight for 20 years when her doctor in forms her that a comea donor has been found. After the operation, she can see distorted images, which sometimes don't register in her brain until 24 hours after she actually sees them. This phenomenon is disconcert ing enough in itself, but the trouble really begins when Emma realizes she's the only witness to a neighbor's murder. She eventually convinces the cynical detective assigned to the case (Aidan Quinn), but by that time, the mur- There when you need an alternative ffl uUn. J^ames ■ 435 A Dolly Madison I Behind Pizza Hut on College Rd. ■ 919 292-2138 derer is after her. From there, they follow the standard "we've got to find him before he finds us" pro cedure. The final showdown is ee rie and suspenseful, though it is suspiciously similar to the con frontation in Silence of the Lambs. The film's most redeeming qual ity is its visual effects, which bring Emma's warped and contorted vi sions to the screen. Watching faces swim and bulge or jump out of a blank wall is fascinating, and this aspect of the film is extremely ef fective. Some of the scenes are startling, like the killer suddenly appearing in Emma's apartment; others, like the hallucinations which detail the cause of Emma's blindness, are genuinely disturb ing. Madeline Stowe shows great diversity as Emma, portraying the character's impressive strength and independence, as well as the insecurities and fears which plague her. She is at no time a helpless, trembling victim waiting to be saved by her leading man. Quinn plays the hard-nosed homicide de tective well. He's a bit flat at first, but as his relationship with Emma develops, he gains a degree of depth. Even though the basic premise is lacking in creativity, Blink is worth seeing for its innovative spe cial effects and fabulous score, as well as the riveting final scene. Jfeatureg /\DULT CHILPREK OF JMRMAL I ANNUAL COtiVEtiTlOti. y— . | " " ■ ?•>■■/:> : -* OisL by Carmen Syndication #2l jfebraarp 4, 1994
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
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Feb. 4, 1994, edition 1
12
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