Blindness

[Agent Richard07]

I just saw Blindness. It's a movie about what happens when everyone goes blind.

The movie starts off with one man suddenly losing his sight in the middle of traffic, then one by one, others start losing their sight as well. We see the first few dozen of these people who go blind get taken away to a run down gated complex where they're left to fend for themselves. The lead character is played by Julianne Moore. She's the only one who hasn't gone blind and she's in the facility because she insisted on staying with her husband.

Once the stage is set and as the story progresses, it becomes clear that this group of people is supposed represent a microcosm of humanity. We get to see what some call "human nature" at work. More specifically, we get to see people struggling to get by from day to day in less than ideal circumstances. Also, food (which is delivered) is a big focus since it represents scarcity. The movie doesn't show us that people are bad, but that one man can go bad and that some will follow him. We also see what happens when one person can see clearly, in this case, literally as well as figuratively. I won't spoil you, but the movie does move beyond these things in its final act and has an interesting ending which will give you something to think about. If you enjoyed Children of Men, you might enjoy this one as well. Be warned though, it is pretty graphic.

As for the cinematography, the movie had a high-contrast look and a lot of the shots either took place in the dark or they were almost completely whited out. Basically, we were taken into their world where life is cold and things can't always be seen clearly. The setting is also interesting. The city that this movie took place in had an international feel that looked like it was supposed to mix together many places from all over the world. It was basically "Any City, Planet Earth". It wasn't North America or South America or Asia or Europe any place in particular.

Has anyone seen it already? If so, what did you think?

IMDb Entry
Trailers

 

[Good Will Riker]

Given how this film gives Hollywood a chance to feature a diverse cast of characters from every walk of life, are there any positive and non-stereotypical portrayals of Asian Americans in this film?

 

[Ben Sisko3]

Given how this film gives Hollywood a chance to feature a diverse cast of characters from every walk of life, are there any positive and non-stereotypical portrayals of Asian Americans in this film?

Dude, seriously, enough. Give it a rest.

As for the film, it was utterly fucking terrible and a waste of my time and money. I haven't been this disappointed in a movie in a really long time. I can't believe I wasted an evening on that piece of shit.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Given how this film gives Hollywood a chance to feature a diverse cast of characters from every walk of life, are there any positive and non-stereotypical portrayals of Asian Americans in this film?

Dude, seriously, enough. Give it a rest.

As for the film, it was utterly fucking terrible and a waste of my time and money. I haven't been this disappointed in a movie in a really long time. I can't believe I wasted an evening on that piece of shit.

Thanks for the warning. Too bad, it has a good cast and an interesting premise for an intelligent sci fi film. I had hoped it would be worthwhile.

 

[Ben Sisko3]

Thanks for the warning. Too bad, it has a good cast and an interesting premise for an intelligent sci fi film. I had hoped it would be worthwhile.

No problem. I, too, had high hopes that were quickly dashed...although it is good to see that, despite no longer being the prevalent power in the galaxy, the Goa'uld do still get the occasional job.

 

[TheRealNaveed]

No, with the exception of a debateable few moments... but overall the movie was alright. Not as good as I was expecting, and I thought one scene in particular was gratuitous... and I hardly ever think that of anything in movies.

 

[TGTheodore]

Apparently the president of the American Association for the Blind (sorry if I got the name wrong) wrote a blistering condemnation about this film, saying that it depicts blind people as evil and completely helpless.

I haven't seen it yet, but would you say this gentleman probably hasn't seen the film (no, not being cute there) or he has any valid points?

After all, it's about a mob of sighted people who suddenly GO blind and are locked up without the time or training to adjust.

--Ted

 

[Lookingglassman]

I'll wait until I can see it for free on DVD.

 

[HighteeHeller]

I seem to remember reading a book like this? Is it based on a book? I clearly remember hating it because there was no capital letters, or no punctuation, or something equally as stupid so as to make it seem interesting.

 

[Ben Sisko3]

Apparently the president of the American Association for the Blind (sorry if I got the name wrong) wrote a blistering condemnation about this film, saying that it depicts blind people as evil and completely helpless.

I haven't seen it yet, but would you say this gentleman probably hasn't seen the film (no, not being cute there) or he has any valid points?

After all, it's about a mob of sighted people who suddenly GO blind and are locked up without the time or training to adjust.

--Ted

The one naturally blind character in the film is a thief, opportunist, pimp, rapist and murderer. He is, by far, the worst human being in the film. One of the many things that the movie did wrong.

 

[unimatrix7]

I've never heard of this movie before. Sounds worth checking out.

 

[Miss Chicken]

Though I am probably wrong - this movie sounds like "Day of the Triffids" minus the triffids.

 

[WillsBabe]

Though I am probably wrong - this movie sounds like "Day of the Triffids" minus the triffids.

My thoughts, too. In fact, it's just reminded me to watch the BBC version again with John Duttine.

 

[Agent Richard07]

Given how this film gives Hollywood a chance to feature a diverse cast of characters from every walk of life, are there any positive and non-stereotypical portrayals of Asian Americans in this film?

The first character we see go blind is Japanese. He's the one who lost his sight in traffic. He and his wife are two of the main characters and they speak both english and japanese throughout the movie. The japanese is of course subtitled. When we see them at the beginning of the movie, they're living like any successful modern couple in a state of the art apartment. In the facility, the "tyrant" who lives with his men in another part of the complex wants to exchange food for a night with the women. When the japanese guy's wife volunteers to go with the rest of the women who also volunteer, he objects, stating honor what whatnot. She tells him that he doesn't command her or something to that effect. That was probably the only scene where the kind of exchange that we often associate with traditional married couples in asian culture came through.

Apparently the president of the American Association for the Blind (sorry if I got the name wrong) wrote a blistering condemnation about this film, saying that it depicts blind people as evil and completely helpless.

I haven't seen it yet, but would you say this gentleman probably hasn't seen the film (no, not being cute there) or he has any valid points?

After all, it's about a mob of sighted people who suddenly GO blind and are locked up without the time or training to adjust.

I heard about his condemnation, but I haven't read what he actually said. I don't believe that the movie portrays blind people in a negative light. What I did see were people suddenly locked away in squalor to fend for themselves. Any bad behavior was motivated by that, not the fact that they were blind. I also didn't see people who were totally helpless, just people who have to learn to live without their sight as you guessed.

I seem to remember reading a book like this? Is it based on a book?

It's based on a novel by a Portuguese author named José Saramago who won a Nobel Prize in literature. For years he wouldn't sell the rights to this novel because he didn't think it could be done right on screen. From what I've heard, he's happy with this movie.

Thanks for the warning. Too bad, it has a good cast and an interesting premise for an intelligent sci fi film. I had hoped it would be worthwhile.

I wouldn't dismiss the movie so quickly. A lot of the reviews are negative, but many are also positive. Read a few more at some of the review sites to see what they have to say.

IMDb User Comments
Review: "Blindness"
'Blindness' sure worth seeing
Reviews at Rotten Tomatoes

The movie is raw, dirty and real. It's an art piece more than it is Hollywood entertainment, and that might be one of many things that could turn a lot of people off.

Also, I want to add that some reviews say that this blindness has swept the city, but it could very well be the planet. We see that civilization was completely broken down with no one to take charge or keep order.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Given how this film gives Hollywood a chance to feature a diverse cast of characters from every walk of life, are there any positive and non-stereotypical portrayals of Asian Americans in this film?

Sandra Oh plays the Minister of Health. I don't know what her actions are in the film though beyond what's in the trailers, but not knowing something has never stopped you before, so feel free to find a reason why that's offensive or an excuse why it doesn't count (do you count Canadians?).

I'm sorry to hear that the film is getting some negative reactions. It looked really good from the trailers and I was looking forward to it. I'll still check it out, but this dampen my excitement a bit.

 

[Ben Sisko3]

The movie is raw, dirty and real. It's an art piece more than it is Hollywood entertainment, and that might be one of many things that could turn a lot of people off.

I'm glad it wasn't Hollywood entertainment, as I usually hate standard Hollywood crap. At the same time, though, I'd argue against it being an "art piece".

And to the person who asked about Sandra Oh's character, beyond what we see in the trailer, she has one additional brief line of dialogue.

 

[StolenThunder]

I am a great fan of the Saramago book, and am very hesitant to see this film. I very much doubt that it can truly convey the societal breakdown and fear presented in the novel.

However the principle is sound so a movie might work if it's not compared to the story. Hard for me to dissociate them though.

 

[Starbreaker]

Mixed bag of reviews on this one. I do like the director and I'm a huge fan of Julianne Moore though. I'll wait for the DVD.

 

[bigdaddy]

Very nice review and like Children of Men? I love that movie!