EYE FOR AN EYE

  Director John Schlesinger has given audiences some truly landmark films, “MARATHON MAN” and “MIDNIGHT COWBOY” stand out above the rest.  Unfortunately, “EYE FOR AN EYE” belongs to the category of films he’s made, simply for the buck, and it’s awful! 

Sally Fields overacts, even more than usual, as a mother having to live with every parents’ worst fear, the death of a child.  In a truly gripping scene, she’s on the phone with her daughter, when she’s actually attacked, raped and killed.  The murderer, played by Kiefer Sutherland is caught and arrested. Unfortunately, he’s released on a technicality. After murdering again, Fields decides to exact revenge and justice with her own plan to punish him once and for all.  Fields isn’t entirely bad, and the sequence where she’s hearing the killing of her daughter, is masterfully filmed.  It’s just unfortunate that the rest of the film isn’t as skillful.  Ed Harris is terrific, as always, here, but he’s underused.  Sutherland plays a great psychopath, but, there’s little chance for him to be more than cartoonish due to the script limitations. 

PARAMOUNT has presented the film with its proper 1.85:1 aspect ratio with 16:9 enhancement.  The colors are solid, even vibrant at times.  Contrast is excellent, with deep blacks and grays. Fleshtones appear natural throughout.  =

The soundmix is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.  The soundmix isn’t very aggressive, although when rear speaker effects are employed, they’re creative and worthwhile.  Dialogue is always clear and intelligible.