“The Eye 2008”
“The Eye 2008” is a horrifying American film directed by David Moreau and Xavier Palud and is about the life of a Los Angeles born Sydney Wells who lost her sight at the age of five caused by accident with firecrackers.
“People say seeing is believing but for me that is not entirely true. I lost my sight when I was only five years old. Since then, I have doubted everything that I can no longer recognize myself anymore.” Those are the words of Sydney Wells at the beginning of the film (-1:35:27/1:36:34). As much as the words may seem like self-talk, they strongly emphasize the condition of the star character. First, they build a comparison that exists between the ordinary life we live and another life that the disabled struggle with. Disability in human beings incapacitates differently. Effects of lack of sight are totally different from the effects of lack of legs or arms. The Sydney regains her vision fifteen years later after undergoing a successful cornea transplant assisted by her therapist, who also turns out to be a talented violinist just like Sydney herself. It is at this particular point that we see the juxtaposition created earlier on by the introductory self-talk from the main character being bridged. Although the site may not fully be restored at the time the surgery is completed, it is clear that Sydney is liberated from the unfortunate burden that she carried for fifteen years.
There are several scenes in the film full of convolutions and suspense that create uncertainties among viewers. Right at the beginning of the film (00:00:56 – 00:01:42), rumbles, painful cries, flashing lights amidst engulfing darkness can be heard and seen, but nothing substantial can be made out of it. Viewers are left to guise for themselves what may be taking place. Critical consideration of the film reveals various aspects that any analyst will automatically reveal. As already demonstrated in this discussion, the use of suspense, self-talk and juxtaposition are some of the literary elements that can directly be pointed out from the film.
The plot of the film is all about what Sydney sees and her reaction towards her visions. We also learn of a number of themes such as violence, surprise, and contrasting roles of women as some of the most dominant concerning themes in the film. For instance, the scene at 00:00:56 – 00:01:42 describes a violent moment since a female can be heard crying in pain, rumbling sound as objects can as well be heard and seen scattering about. After her eye surgery, Sydney experiences a lot of scary visions. Through these visions, violence, changing roles of women and phantasm are experienced. For example, Ana’s mother hangs herself after failing to stop the accident from happening illustrates a violent moment.
“I’m seeing things that aren’t real. I’m seeing things that I shouldn’t see. I’m dreaming I’ve never seen. This surgery was supposed to make me normal.” Sydney would see people who are dead. In an incident, she saw a girl passing right through her. All these provide connection created between spiritual fantasy and realism and further expresses the use of phantasm.