Let's be realistic.

just watch it!

Absolutely Fantastic

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

Martha Plimpton's performance in this film was magnetic. The out-of-order time sequencing technique was intriguing without being confusing, although it teased me into wanting to see the movie again almost immediately. A shocking and bittersweet film, it really captures the interminable dailiness and ennui of small-town Oklahoma and is somewhat reminiscent of The Last Picture Show in this regard. This film raises the bar for all film-making and could be the poster child for independent film-making, especially. Hal Holbrook, Mary Kay Place and Nick Stahl registered uncontrived performances that rang true and clear. This is a provocative, unforgettable, disturbing film.

At the risk of drowning from swimming against the tide, I can't agree with the rating on this film. My wife and I just stared at each other when it was over. In an attempt to be "artsy", the director used adulterated and convoluted time frames that only distracted the viewer. Actually, that was one of the things that kept my attention...trying to separate the scenes into past, present, and future. And his editing didn't help. There was way too much "dead air", again an ill-fated attempt at "artsy".Aside from those complaints, the film has redeeming value. Being from Oklahoma, I can tell you it was well researched. There were only two or three times that words/phrases appeared that are not native to this area (a feat seldom achieved by stories set in Oklahoma). It appeared that all the outdoor filming was done in Oklahoma, although not all in Kingfisher. I recognized several scenes filmed in other Oklahoma towns. Secondly, some of the acting bordered on brilliant. Acting that, if found in a better constructed film, would have been recognized by the industry. While I think the film is absolutely unworthy of it's rating, if you want to watch something that's a little out of the norm, with a good story line, and some good acting, and you don't mind a little depression, check it out.

If you watch this film, you WILL be affected. Although the "mystery" of what happened to the boy is easily deduced about halfway through, it soon becomes apparent that that is not the purpose of the film. Many times a film like this will drag you along with implications of a "deeper meaning" and then end with the "revelation" of who the killer was. Luckily, this one was true to itself and its name "The Eye of God". Martha Plimpton is wonderful, being all too real and therefore all the more tragic. There is strong symbolism here with "consummation of a marriage" and "abortion/murder" and the innocence of children. It is tough to explain without being a spoiler, but for those of you who have seen it : what the "devil" gave her (in a significantly "proper" manner) also drained her of life, which she in turn does herself to someone (literally). Overall, I would rate this as one of the most compelling films of the last few years.

Critics say the writer/director slowly brings two stories together. As someone who grew up in Kingfisher, Ok (or a Texas town just like it) the two stories are one: Everyone is connected in towns of that size.Critics say the writer/director uses a shattered time line. That, too, is simplistic. As this artist knows, life is not a straight line, because life "occurs" and then on reflection, we discover it "happened." I was 18 yesterday, and I'm 62 now, and like the characters in the film, I've drifted back and forth from event to event. Memory is as real as reality.Critics say the religious overtones of the story are the major weakness as the writer/director tries to give "significance" to his tale. Another simplified answer from non-religious, non-small town, non-Southwestern people. "The Prophet," now that's an abundance of religion. Tim Blake Nelson actually under-played religion in this very religious film.Another member commented: SEE THIS FILM. I echo those comments. When I take movies to my island....