Blind Obsession (2001)

Director:

Robert Malenfant

Writers:

Ken Sanders (story)
George Saunders (written by)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Recluse | Rape Victim | Blindness | Gagged And Bound | Stabbed In The Back

Cast

Brad Johnson	...	Jack Fletcher
Megan Gallagher	...	Rebecca Rose
Roxana Zal	...	Bedelia Rose
Leslie Hardy	...	Amy Brannigan
Ken Kercheval	...	Harrison Pendragon
Tony Panterra	...	Axel Vincenzo
Christopher Kriesa	...	Frank Dodge
Steve Stapenhorst	...	Dr. Locker
Phyllis Hamlin	...	Rachel
Paul Darrigo	...	Tony
Zuhair Haddad	...	Rakeesh
Krista Talley	...	Young Rebecca Rose
Svetlana Pravina	...	Young Bedelia Rose
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Joe Conley
Jack Skeets Gleeson	...	Locksmith

Also Known As:

Blindside (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

Spain:90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Out of Sight Productions LLC

Soundtrack:

Piano Magic

A compelling little film, in spite of plot deficiencies.

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

**This review contains some spoilers**

I'll start by saying I gave this movie a 7 out of 10, largely on the strength of Megan Gallagher's beautiful performance. This actress carries her years very well, and the fine character lines on her face only add to the depth and maturity of her portrayal here.

The film begins with P.I. Jack Fletcher and his partner getting involved in a shootout, during which a bullet fragment `grazes' Fletcher's optic nerve, leaving him blind. (Naturally, any daytime drama fan knows what will happen later on, with a `graze'). Rebecca Rose (Megan) becomes his trainer in coping with sightlessness, and is obviously immediately, intensely attracted to Fletcher.

We also meet Rebecca's sister, Bedelia (the lovely Roxana Zal), who is a total recluse since an incident of childhood incest rape. Bea (Bedelia's nickname) is totally dependent upon Beca, unable to function in the world of reality, and feels terrifyingly threatened whenever Beca gets seriously involved with a man. All of this is laid out elliptically, almost in passing, and the writers refreshingly give the viewers credit for enough intelligence to put things together for themselves.

Beca obviously has some problems of her own, as she begins to spy on Fletcher, taking advantage of his blindness to be near him, in his house, without his knowledge (or does he suspect it, perhaps; some vague hints are offered in his behavior). She is there, hidden, when a thug comes for a revenge killing, and kills the heavy with a knife to the back while he is speaking to Fletcher. (One knife stroke, in the back, through ribs and all, directly into the heart(?), and the guy croaks on the spot - uh huh). She then drags the body out of the house, and dumps it, while Fletcher is trying to figure out what's going on, from the sounds alone.

She continues to spy on Fletcher. In a well-done scene, she noisily closes the front door of his house, staying inside. Fletcher begins looking to the door, clearly sensing something, and begins moving toward her. Then he passes a vase of fresh flowers, and picks them up to sniff, looking like a man who's found an answer. The shift and play of expressions on Beca's face, from nervousness, to fear and then relief, is totally gripping, as she clearly realizes he smells her perfume.

There's also an ex-girl friend of Jack's, who still has feelings for him, and begins to expose Beca's misdeeds.

All these elements come to a head in the film's climax, which I won't reveal, except to say it's not completely obvious; there are a few surprises at the end. But, throughout, Megan Gallagher gives a compelling, gripping performance, and carries me right along with her. It's a shame she has never found her niche again, since her days with Dabney Coleman.