Blindness DVD Review

When a blindness epidemic spreads too quickly for society to make plans, we get to learn what the best, and worst, aspects of human nature are. Director Fernando Meirelles leads Blindness, a thriller film that portrays some of the darkest of human emotions as a group of suddenly blind people are quarantined in a building together. One woman (Julianne Moore) goes inside to stay with her husband and secretly maneuvers around as a seeing person among the blind.

Based on Noble Laureate Jose Saramago's masterful novel, Blindness comes to DVD February 10th. The film offers a brilliant ensemble of characters who tell a powerful story with a multitude of emotions. Joining the award-winning Moore are Mark Ruffalo, Danny Glover, Alice Braga, and Gael Garcia Bernal.

Blindness is hard to watch at times. There are some troubling scenes with graphic and disturbing sexual themes. True, they impact the emotions of the story, but it is still difficult. As disconcerting is the darkside of human nature depicted in the story. Blindness does make you wonder how you would behave in a similar situation. What if you lose your sight and everyone else around was in the same calamity? Who would you rely on? Who would you trust?

There is certainy a captivating and powerful story to be discovered in Blindness. It is not a movie that offers a lot of definitive closure if that is what you need a movie to do. It is more of an emotional exploration and a film driven by the struggles, character, and perseverance of its main players. Julianne Moore is perfect in roles like this where a strong, emotional character is required. Mark Ruffalo is good, as are the other key figures. Final assessment - powerful tale, hard film to watch at times.



MPAA Rating: R

Starring: Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Danny Glover, Alice Braga, Yusuke Iseya, Yoshimo Kimura, Don McKellar, Maury Chaykin, Mitchell Nye, Gael Garcia Bernal
Director: Fernando Meirelles

Reviewed by Neil