Hysterical Blindness (2002)

Simply A Masterpiece

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

I caught this movie on cable TV a year ago, slightly edited, and was hooked from the opening bar scene. The characters felt so real to me, it seemed like I was sitting at the bar, watching the various interactions of the people there. I kept waiting to see if Rick would turn out to be a total jerk, but it became clear that he was just a rather shallow, unemotional type guy ,who clearly was not interested in relationships and commitment. He never once said anything to lead poor, hapless Debbie on, with the possible exception of his vague, noncommittal response to her dinner invitation. Even at the end, when she was literally clinging to him in the bar, he didn't say anything mean or abusive, but told her, in a low key, not uncompassionate way, that she needed to go home and sober up. It wasn't what she wanted to hear, but it actually was the kindest thing he could have said to her, under the circumstances.Gena Rowlands' performance as Debbie's mother was heartbreaking in its perfect blend of strength and fragility. Her reaction to Nicky's death, and her meeting with his son at the funeral were incredibly moving. Again, I felt the reality of the characters and their lives in a way one doesn't encounter often in movies.Uma Thurman's performance was so dead on, that I actually felt embarrassed for her in her desperate, drunken scene in the bar. Debbie would be a pain to put up with, in real life, but her frequently obnoxious mannerisms and attitudes never outweighed the pity I felt for her, as someone who had been badly wounded at a young age, and had real issues as the result. It's a daring performance, in which she doesn't hold back on honestly depicting the painful vulnerability of her character. I found myself wishing at the end that she would find a nice guy who would really appreciate her, and that all three women would have happier lives in the future. There's something about this movie that gets hold of you and doesn't let go; maybe because a lot of us have felt like Debbie at one point or another in our lives.

For anyone who has ever been truly, painfully lonely and done really stupid things under the influence of alcohol just to gain a little affection and affirmation, this movie will be like looking in the mirror. I winced when Uma's character literally flung herself at a guy who is, like a recent book popular dating book says, is just not that into her. The pain on Uma's character's face is just too much to take sometimes. I've watched this film twice and even though the I knew what was going to happen, seeing it a second time was just as heart-wrenching and touching. Kudos to all the actors, especially Uma Thurman and Gena Rowlands. PLEASE see every Gena Rowlands movie ever made - you won't be disappointed. She is one of the finest actors of our time.

Being single is always frustrating, but letting that unhappy feeling get the better of you would only make things worse. That's what's all about in this movie. The 80's is always something and this movie sets back in that decade. And I'll say, this movie was excellent. Uma Thurman, Juliet Lewis, and Gena Rowlands were astounding. Uma Thurman, is a heavy hitting actress from "Pulp Fiction" to The "Kill Bill" movies really played her part well as Debby. She goes to the doctor when she temporarily goes blind. It can be scary. At least she's trying to take it easy. Her friend Beth, a wild child had a daughter whose father didn't keep his end on the relationship. Debby's mother Virginia(Rowlands) is strong, yet her daughter's resentment to her new boyfriend lead to her own remorse when the boyfriend died of a heart attack. The resentment was caused when her father left the family. The movie has everything, laughs, cries, wonder, curiosity, and a sense of direction on showing on how important life should be. And it's not too late to catch the big one! A very good movie, and a major keeper in the video library.

This adaptation of an off broadway play, about two friends living in New Jersey and looking for love in all the wrong places, features great acting by Juliet Lewis, Geena Rowlands, and Uma Thurman. Thurman, especially, is great and, alone, worth the price of admission (or rental). This is nother coup for HBO in producing meaningful indie films.