The Eye (2008)

A woman receives an eye transplant that allows her to see into the supernatural world.

Directors:

David Moreau, Xavier Palud

Writers:

Sebastian Gutierrez (screenplay), Yuet-Jan Hui

Stars:

Jessica Alba, Alessandro Nivola, Parker Posey

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jessica Alba	...	Sydney Wells
Alessandro Nivola	...	Dr. Paul Faulkner
Parker Posey	...	Helen Wells
Rade Serbedzija	...	Simon McCullough
Fernanda Romero	...	Ana Christina Martinez
Rachel Ticotin	...	Rosa Martinez
Obba Babatundé	...	Dr. Haskins
Danny Mora	...	Miguel
Chloë Grace Moretz	...	Alicia
Brett A. Haworth	...	Shadowman
Kevin Phan	...	Tomi Cheung (as Kevin K.)
Tamlyn Tomita	...	Mrs. Cheung
Esodie Geiger	...	Nurse
Karen Elizabeth Austin	...	Mrs. Hillman (as Karen Austin)
Ryan J. Pezdirc	...	Nurse Room Attendant

Storyline

The violinist Sydney Wells has been blind since she was five years old due to an accident. She submits to a surgery of cornea transplantation to recover her vision, and while recovering from the operation, she realizes that she's having strange visions. With the support of Dr. Paul Faulkner, Sidney finds who the donor of her eyes and begins a journey to find out the truth behind her visions.

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Plot Keywords:

eye | violinist | eye transplant | seeing dead people | cellular memory | 

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Taglines:

You Won't Believe Her Eyes.

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence/terror and disturbing content

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [United States]

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

1 February 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Oko

Filming Locations:

800 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,425,776, 3 February 2008, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$31,418,697, 10 April 2008

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$56,964,642

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lionsgate,Paramount Vantage,Cruise/Wagner Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min 92 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

While filming at the University of British Columbia, Jessica Alba would often mess up her lines and, upon doing so, would systematically scream the "F" word at the top of her lungs. Eventually, the annoyed crew started echoing her screams throughout the building.

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Goofs

When Sydney is at the Chinese restaurant, the meat that the cook was cutting is alternating between more and less cut.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Teen on Skateboard: Oh, shit. Thanks. I didn't see that.
Sydney Wells: Neither did I.
Sydney Wells: [voice-over while Sydney walks in the street and settles in a café] People say seeing is believing, but for me, that's not entirely true. I lost my sight when I was five years old. Those memories of what I have seen have faded so much that I doubt I'd even recognize myself anymore. Now I see using my other senses. I can smell the rain before it drops, but I can't watch it fall. I can feel the sun on my face, but I can't see it rise...

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Connections

Features The Dresden Files (2007)

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Soundtracks

Sonata for Violin & Piano No. 5 in F Major (Spring), Op. 24
Written by Ludwig van Beethoven
Arranged by Ceiri Torjussen

User Reviews

Cookie cutter rip-off with unneeded changes

If you watch this movie, be aware that Gin-Gwai (The Eye)came first. There have even been two sequels. The third one was called The Eye 10 as a marketing ploy by the US director. It is truly awful, so avoid it like the plague.

That being said, the thing that both US influenced versions have are a total lack of creativity, suspense, or originality. It is a pity that Ms. Alba chose this role, as it was merely a shell of the original film. Every scene was reproduced in a typical US-dumbed down format, with typical cheap Friday the 13th scares thrown in. This version ironically lost sight of the original vision of the Pang Brother's classic. Instead, they change key plot elements to "add to" the suspense, IE: American audiences can't think, so we have to hold up a sign that says "SCREAM".

Do yourself and others a favor and rent, or even better buy a copy of the original. You will not be disappointed. Sadly, the same cannot be said for yet another cheap, unimaginative, 80's camp pile of garbage rip-off in the mold of The Grudge, Hide and Seek, and Dark Water. Don't even waste your time downloading this tripe.