Hey folks, Harry here with a second look at Tom Shadyac's DRAGONFLY, but this time from Scottsdale, Arizona. Like I said on the last review, this film is forever and a day away from seeing a theater near you or me. At the soonest it would be a Holiday 2001 film, but more likely than not, we'll see this in the first quarter of 2002. And from this review, far more complete and thought out than the last one, I can begin to get a very good idea of what type of film this is... and it sounds a bit promising. We'll have to keep our eyes on this one.
Hi Harry. After the mention on your site regarding an early screening of the movie, Dragonfly, I was more than excited to find out I was going to be seeing it here in Scottsdale tonight. As the other reviewer mentioned, this movie is not done. In fact, some times it was hard to see certain figures, as it looked like scenes were not complete. But I do have to disagree with the Fiddler, because I ended up enjoying this film. It's not going to be one of my favorites, but the emotions used in the film got to me. And in no way is this film even similar to Patch Adams - these are two COMPLETELY different movies. And as for Kevin Costner, in my opinion, he played his part well.
The subject matter of the film is the after life and in this case, Kevin's character, Joe, loses his pregnant wife in a freak bus accident while she is assisting the Red Cross in Venezuela. He has problems accepting his wife's death and this carries over into his work as an ER doctor. After a series of misjudgments, he is forced to take a leave of absence, but even that, he is not willing to accept. As his wife was a doctor and looked after the children's oncology department, he remembers a promise to her that he would look in after them while she was away. Its during this initial visit where he observes one of the kids starting to code and at the same time, he hears this kid calling his name. The kid survives the code and when Joe visits him the next day, he shows Joe a drawing that looks like a "jello crucifix." This happens with two other kids in the department who tell him his wife is looking for him and to "look near the rainbow" and Joe's character struggles with the fact he may be delusional. He confides in his next door lawyer neighbor, played by Kathy Bates, who insists these things he's hearing and seeing are a figment of his imagination; that all things need proof or evidence. As a couple more incidents happen in his house, Joe knows he's not delusional and finally figures out what the symbols being drawn by the kids are.
As I sit back now and read what I just wrote, I can see how this movie can be compared to The Sixth Sense and What Lies Beneath. It has similar elements; specifically, dealing with the after life and the certain moments that make you jump. The film was successful in the surprise arena, but done with expectancy. And as for the subject of the after life, this film takes it a step further and one begins to wonder if there is something after we die. Something peaceful, someway to communicate with those we had a connection with, somehow let those we loved know we're OK. As I mentioned in the beginning, the emotion of that subject tends to be stronger in this film. For one, the core of this movie is the children who are dying of leukemia. I don't know if Tom Shadyac actually used real kids with the disease, but these actors looked like they were struggling with it. Each had his and her own story of how Joe's wife touched their lives and how they were ablt to communicate with her. And the way they would talk to Joe brought tears to your eyes. There was a few scenes where you could see the audience was vulnerable and the expected sniffles were heard. You felt for this guy who was such a cynic and believed that this life was the best you're going to get. And then watching him as he struggled with that belief and as it slowly fades away, made you start to care for him. Kevin hit it. I really felt he nailed this part. I had no problems with his acting, nor with Kathy Bates or any of the other supporting actors. The problems I did have were with the pacing of the film and how quickly we get to the end. And there are also scenes that were obviously not done that when finished, will more than likely be very good.
The cliché "It was a dark and stormy night…" plays throughout this film. Yea, I know a dark and stormy night builds suspense, but I didn't need to see it in every scene where something is about to happen. I felt it belittled me as a moviegoer; that I was being set up to prepare for something surprising to happen. That's one thing I enjoyed about the Sixth Sense was that many of the "surprise" scenes happened in daytime and the "quiet" of evenings. You weren't expecting to be surprised and then BAM! I'm on the ceiling. Trust me, there are a few scenes where the audience jumped, but it could have been set much better. I also felt the ending was all of a sudden happening. The film builds to this moment and then we're there. It could have easily been played out more. Use more of Kathy Bates character. Show me more conflict and the resolution between Joe and the hospital administrator. Have Joe go through more of the emotions he is dealing with that lead to the ending.
In closing, this is no in no way a "comeback" role for Kevin Costner. Its more of a few steps toward that. I want to see the final product. As you mentioned it may be coming out in 2002, Tom Shadyac has time to really add some more to this film; and lessen some. And I hope he does. You can have the audience in your hand…
Brenahooie.
