Today’s entry for Todd Mason’s ongoing blogging series (Overlooked Films) is the 2005 thriller Red Eye, directed by Wes Craven and co-starring Rachel McAdams and Cillian Murphy.
On what appears to be a routine flight to Miami, Florida our heroine, Lisa Reisert (McAdams) finds herself sat next to one Jackson Rippner (Murphy), who is certainly not all that he appears to be. In fact, he has very ill intentions and Reisert’s at the center of his devious plans. I know the statute of limitations on spoilers is probably well over, but I hate giving away “twisty” plot details, even if many of you are clever enough to figure out where this story is going (it is a Wes Craven film after all).
And sure, it gets a little bonkers towards the end of the film, but with such a premise, how could it go any other way? Sometimes your brain must check out and just go with what you are seeing on the screen. With talented thesps such as the ones on offer in this film (supporting help from Brian Cox et al), the experience of watching this film is made all the more enjoyable.
I remember when this film came out and the marketing surrounding it was rather misleading – which resulted in my thinking that this would be a rather lame film indeed. Boy was I pleasantly surprised!
Besides, it’s only 85 minutes in length and for my money (although I saw it on cable TV) it was time well spent.
Jaina says
September 25, 2012 at 8:11 amJust like you, I was pleasantly surprised about this film. It was no where near as bad as I thought it would be. Probably thanks to Rachel McAdams and Cillian Murphy. They held up the rather ridiculous film pretty well!
Jaina recently posted..Graduating to Buffy Season 3
iluvcinema says
September 26, 2012 at 11:58 pmGood actors can almost rescue anything, eh?
Todd Mason says
September 25, 2012 at 9:14 amMcAdams is good in everything I’ve seen her in…but some of the projects she chooses, such as THE NOTEBOOK, defeat my willingness to follow. This one was indeed elevated by her participation, and is a thoroughly enjoyable goof (good point about the brevity…Brian De Palma would’ve managed to amp up the idiocy and make it at least two hours long).
Todd Mason recently posted..another 10 actors (another Commonwealth edition)
iluvcinema says
September 26, 2012 at 11:57 pmDon’t get me started on dePalma … we could be here all day 😉
Castor says
September 25, 2012 at 9:29 amSilly premise but so much fun! And Wes Craven knows he has to keep it short before the whole thing collapses on itself. I love this movie 😀
Castor recently posted..Gina Carano to Star in Female Spinoff of ‘The Expendables’
iluvcinema says
September 26, 2012 at 11:56 pmIt really surprised me how much fun I had watching it.
novroz says
September 25, 2012 at 10:14 amMike (Leopard13) led me to this post knowing how I adore Cilli.
As you have pointed it out, it’s an enjoyable movie…but despite Cillian’s great acting here, I have only seen it twice because the ending is so LAME!
Great job by both Cilli and Rachel, but they need to change that seriously lame ending.
iluvcinema says
September 26, 2012 at 11:55 pmAs I read through the comments, I am reminded at just how lame the ending was. At the time of writing I recalled that it was less than memorable but I am remembering more. And yeah it was a letdown from the suspense that preceded it.
Jack Deth says
September 25, 2012 at 2:46 pmHi, Iluv:
So, before there were ‘Snakes on a Plane’ there was ‘Charming Borderline Psycho on a Plane’?
I’m with Jaina and Novroz on this one.
Ciilian Murphy’s greatest asset is that his face is placid and inscruitable. You can’t read what’s going on behind his eyes. And in ‘Red Eye’ that is writ large and admirably opposite Rachel McAdams, despite a less than stellar ending.
Intriguing choice and critique.
iluvcinema says
September 26, 2012 at 11:54 pmYup what you said Jack!
Patti Abbott says
September 25, 2012 at 3:46 pmThanks. This is one I would have missed if not for your review.
iluvcinema says
September 26, 2012 at 11:50 pmEnjoy!
Yvette says
September 25, 2012 at 5:27 pmNever heard of this movie, but thanks for letting me know about it. Not sure it’ it’s my kind of film, but you just can never tell. I’m such a scardy cat. Ha! Wes Craven. Shudders.
iluvcinema says
September 26, 2012 at 11:49 pmIt is a great psycho thriller with a short running time. Maybe watch the first 60 minutes. Like said elsewhere, the ending is a bit of a letdown.
Yvette says
September 25, 2012 at 5:27 pmP.S. I mistook the guy for a girl. So thought at first it was about two women. I must get more sleep. 🙂
Yvette recently posted..Tuesday’s Forgotten (or Overlooked) Movies and Other A/V Stuff
iluvcinema says
September 26, 2012 at 11:48 pmI can see how that is possible 😉
ruth says
September 25, 2012 at 5:53 pmI actually rented this as soon as it came out. Cillian is sooo creeepy! But man is he gorgeous, those eyes you could get lost in them.
ruth recently posted..A Birthday Tribute: Top Five Christopher Reeve’s Roles
iluvcinema says
September 26, 2012 at 11:48 pmVery creepy indeed. a great bonkers performance to boot.
Ja says
September 26, 2012 at 3:04 pmNot overlooked in my book! 🙂 Yes, I have it in my DVD collection. It includes two of my favorite actors-McAdams and Murphy. And you can’t beat the films short (85 minutes), yet wholesome, length!
Ja recently posted..What Can Brown Do For You?
iluvcinema says
September 26, 2012 at 11:44 pm🙂
Diana says
October 2, 2012 at 4:35 pmThe premise here is very interesting, and I can see where you are coming from, but, honestly, I don’t think its ‘overlooked’ at all. That ridiculous ending just spoiled the film which could have been just average at best, anyway.
iluvcinema says
October 2, 2012 at 5:00 pmYou have point – you will, no doubt notice as times wears on, my definition of “overlooked” becomes slightly more ambiguous 😉 It is easier for me to pick an ‘overlooked’ old movie than a more contemporary one.