Susan Granger’s review of “ANGEL EYES” (Warner Bros.)
There seems to have been a dearth of contemporary romantic drama, so screenwriters Gerald DiPego and Michael Seitzman, along with director Luis Mandoki, came up with the idea of a mysterious man named Catch (Jim Caviezel) who becomes involved with a Chicago police officer (Jennifer Lopez) after saving her life. There’s a haunting backstory connecting the dazed, confused Catch with her, since she arrived on the scene when he was critically injured in a tragic automobile accident a year before. But, sometimes, being a survivor can be a mixed blessing. Unfortunately, this is not the spiritual, mystical, or supernatural story which the previews and even the first half of the film lead one to believe it will be. After all, Catch seems to live like a vagrant, exiled to the shadows of existence. But it’s not “Ghost” and it’s not “The Sixth Sense.” It’s not even a big-screen version of “Touched by an Angel.” It’s simply about two damaged people who are groping their way toward grasping a second chance at life and love. Overall, the acting is far better than the hokey, hackneyed script, which telegraphs too much in advance, particularly about her father, whom she arrested, years before, for spousal abuse. During its development, the story was known as “Heart of Town,” which might have been a more apt title. Jennifer Lopez delivers a flamboyant, multi-layered performance, her best since “Selena,” as she covers a deep hurt with anger, and Jim Caviezel captures the denial of his enigmatic character with the most tender reserve of humor and irony. The strong supporting cast includes Terrence Howard, Sonia Braga, Jeremy Sisto, Alfonso Argo and Shirley Knight. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Angel Eyes” is a celestial 4, dealing with the complex nature of love.
