# Angel Eyes (2001)

### reviewed by
Homer Yen

    "Angel Eyes" – Familiar Vision
    by Homer Yen
    (c) 2001

Somewhere in the twilight zone of movies, huddled around films like "Frequency" and "The Sixth Sense," you'll find ones very much like "Angel Eyes." You know the story. A person is given a chance to make things right courtesy of some unexplainable, supernatural intervention.

There's nothing wrong with a tale that revolves around cosmic connections. But we've charted this territory before, especially in the case of co-star Jim Caviezel. His recent roles included a forlorn son ("Frequency"), a haunted homeless man ("Pay It Forward"), and even a bewildered soldier ("The Thin Red Line"). This guy has mastered the art of silent torment. And here, he has created a reticent wanderer named Catch whose soul has been traumatized for reasons that are not made immediately clear.

His destiny lies with officer Sharon Pogue (Jennifer Lopez), a feisty cop whose desire to fight crime seems as if its some measure of her self-worth. During one of her frenetic chases, she is ambushed. Out of nowhere, Catch appears to save her. Destiny has allowed these two to meet, but it will take much more for these two to truly connect.

Catch is unwilling to discuss his past. But from various clues, it's clear that he is either hiding or trying to forget something. Why is his kitchen drawer stashed full of children's toys? And, at a jazz club, why does he deny knowing people that claim to recognize him? The mystery to Sharon and the audience is maddening.

Yet, we also learn that she is almost as secretive and tormented when she reveals an episode that created a rift with her father. As a result, her defensive mechanism forces her to assume the role of an invulnerable, graveyard shift-loving supercop. The fortress that she has built around her heart is almost as impenetrable as Catch's is.

For much of "Angel Eyes," the story delicately focuses on the advances and retreats made by our couple. They first develop a cautious, arms-length relationship. But to get closer, they would need to break free from their psychological bonds. Neither one, though, seems capable of taking that first important step.

The dramatic aspects worked better than the romantic ones. Despite being dubbed the World's Sexiest Woman (by FHM magazine), Jennifer Lopez had a surprisingly earthly quality and easily allowed us to sympathize with her. She effectively conveyed her sense of loss underneath her on-the-job bravura. Caviezal, again, is reliably good as a member of the walking wounded.

Less convincing, however, was the romantic aspect. These two came across more like two lost children holding hands while walking through a dark forest. They were better off as mutual supporters. Lacking sizzle, the love scenes then seemed something of distraction.

"Angel Eyes" has material that grabs our attention. But while it's interesting, it's never quite compelling. Some walls are just too tall to break down, whether it's Catch's inner torment, Sharon's sense of regret, or the film's desire to be more moody than it really was. But we can be grateful that they tried. As such, the film does just enough of the right things to keep us engaged as we watch these two navigate through their emotional mazes.

    Grade: B-
    S:        1 out of 3
    L:        2 out of 3
    V:        2 out of 3

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