Review of My Little Eye (2002) by Diana S — 09 Sep 2005

My Little Eye is a thriller set in the world of reality television, or webvision in this case. A group of five twenty-somethings respond to an online ad requiring them to spend six months in an isolated house for $1 million. They can leave the house during the day, but must remain on the grounds. They can have no contact with the outside world and if anyone leaves, no one gets any money. But as the months wear on, those running the show start changing the rules, messing with the inhabitants minds.

The directing, editing and camerawork really made this film. It takes place in one house, with very few outside excursions. And this could have gotten really dull. Really fast. But director Marc Evans ("Beautiful Mistake") makes sure this doesn't happen. The film follows the characters as an actual reality show would, from various angles throughout the house. Also, look for a cameo from Will of "Alias" fame.

The Upside of Anger is mostly a character drama that lets Joan Allen ("Yes") show what she can do, and she does it all. The story revolves around a woman with four daughters whose husband has just run off with his secretary. Allen breaks down and then begins to pick herself up again, with the help of a retired baseball player in the form of Kevin Costner ("Open Range") And just how many times has Costner played a baseball player, retired or otherwise?

It sounds straightforward enough, but the story, spanning three years, shows Allen and how she affects her daughters, all in their teens, and what twists their lives take as a result. And then how she reacts to these twists. It's not all sad. Much of it is hilarious mother/daughter interaction.

And, again, excellent cinematography.