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Blindness
- Review Date: September 29, 2008
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Arty apocalypse is as rewarding as it is rough.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this bleak drama -- which depicts the total breakdown of society (including filth, squalor, graphic brutality, and sexual coercion) in the wake of a plague that leaves its victims blind -- isn't for kids. Several scenes depict the aftermath of the social collapse, including the absence of law and order, medical treatment, food and shelter, and more. There are also several sex scenes -- some of which are consensual, and some of which aren't -- and a good deal of strong language. Violence includes beatings, shootings, and much more.
What's the story?
Based on the novel by Nobel Prize-winning novelist Jose Saramago, BLINDNESS takes place in an unspecified modern city, where a small group of people are afflicted with a disease that takes away their vision and fills their eyes with nothing but a vast, featureless whiteness -- "like I'm swimming in milk," as one character puts it. When an unnamed ophthalmologist (Mark Ruffalo) is afflicted and taken to quarantine, his wife (Julianne Moore) claims that she's gone blind as well and must be taken with him -- even though she hasn't. Soon, the disease spreads like wildfire, and the quarantine facility is jammed with blind victims. As the outside world provides less and less help, a cruel, cold social order is imposed on the wards by a man (Gael Garcia Bernal) who forces inmates to trade their remaining valuables -- and then their bodies -- for food. Moore tries to save her husband and the others in her care, but what will that cost her, and it is it even be possible?
Is it any good?
Author Saramago reportedly spent nearly a decade rebuffing filmmakers who wanted to adapt his acclaimed novel; finally, though, director Fernando Meirelles (City of God, The Constant Gardener) and screenwriter Don McKellar convinced the novelist that his book could be brought to the screen. The resulting film is, ultimately, gripping and harrowing and disconcerting; it's certainly one of the bleakest and most brutal portraits of the collapse of civilization ever seen on screen.
And yet, it's not hopeless or inhumane; there are several moments of grace and hope and kindness in the film, even among the muck and blood and cruelty. Moore's character is another showcase for the actress -- viewers watch as a silly, slight woman grows stronger and more assured under what seems like an unbearable burden of responsibility. Visually, the film is a wonder, capturing not just the crush and rush of panicked crowds but also the broken, bizarre landscape of a major metropolis in the wake of a horrible disaster. Blindness isn't for everyone -- it's never shy about the real, rough consequences of the end of civilization -- but it's also lyrical, moving, and carries a fierce message of hope.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the questions the film raises: What would happen if some catastrophic event shattered civilization? Would people come together in a time of crisis or fall apart? Families can also talk about Julianne Moore's character, who becomes a fierce protector to a small group of survivors -- and also grows as a person in her new role. Does crisis bring out the best in some people?
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AGE
Most disturbing movie I have ever seen and never finished
I'm a 24 year old female and I thought this movie was absolutely ridiculous. I have never walked out of a movie in my life. The rape was way to long. Maybe they were going for a "shocked reaction" and they sure got it.
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AGE
i am 14 and thought it was fine, my parents... probably would think different for me
i liked this movie a lot and my mouth dropped open a couple of times at the "scariness" of this movie and what could possibly happen to the world. I thought some stuff was pretty bad but bearable for me.
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AGE
Check my page for other great recommendations.
I'm not here to give a review because if it shows up on my page its a 5 star movie and so therefore you know what i think about it.
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AGE
Even though this movie contains several scenes of sex, violence, and language that is very offensive to most people, I think this was a great take on how civilization can become after a disturbingly unexpected event happens.
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AGE
I have to admit I was pretty shocked with some of the graphic sex in the movie. It wasn't necessarily graphic in the sense that it showed a lot of skin (because although there seemed to be skin showed for any excuse at all, there ultimately wasn't THAT much), but it was just intense and vulgar. Particularly in one scene. Quite disturbing actually. Other than that, I thought the plot was a little less than solid, and the acting was a little silly sometimes I think. Other than that, it was an interesting take on what an apocalyptic event might look like.
One thing I did not like at all was the way the army was portrayed in the movie. The army guys were ridiculous, heartless, and horrible. They made fun of the blind people, shot at them, etc. It was pretty aggravating to see that type of portrayal across the board in the movie.
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AGE
Beautiful piece of art is very mature
You need to know that "Blindness" is not an everyday flick. It is not for those who love action and blockbusters. It is an independent movie for those who love the art of film.
It will go beyond what lovers of the mainstream are used to.
(SPOILERS may follow:)
-The movie itself is emotional and at some points hard to handle, as blind people are treated like objects or scum in this movie. Whenever a person tries to escape, he gets shot.
Anyhow the most relevant moment is one moment of sexual violence:
-The women have to let men having sex with them in order to get food. Though they are not forced to do it, they do it willingly. Anyway, they are sad and they just do it for the others, so they get food. At one point a woman dies because the man had had sex with her violently. The protagonist gets kind of raped (she was one of them who were willing, but the man presses her face to his privates violently - it is somehow unsettling.)
-She kills the man by stabbing him (quick, dark)
(End of SPOILERS)
It is suitable for older teenagers i think, like viewers 16 and up.
This movie is just great, Julianne Moore is great, the script is great and especially the optical look.
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| Director: | Fernando Meirelles |
| Cast: | Danny Glover, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 120 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 1, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | February 10, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | violence including sexual assaults, language and sexuality/nudity. |
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