Movie Type: Psychological Thriller, Crime Thriller
Themes: Serial Killers, Woman In Jeopardy
Main Cast: Madeleine Stowe, Aidan Quinn, Laurie Metcalf, James Remar, Peter Friedman
Release Year: 1994
Country: US
Run Time: 106 minutes
Plot
In Blink, a woman regaining her eyesight after a double cornea transplant operation glimpses the killer of her upstairs neighbor and then must fight for her life as the killer stalks her. Emma Brody (Madeline Stowe), a musician in an Irish folk-rock band was blinded as a result of childhood abuse by her mother. Her doctor, Ryan Pierce (Peter Friedman) performs an operation to restore her vision, but soon Emma is suffering from retroactive hallucinations in which she sees things that have happened hours, or even days, before. As she was the only witness to the murder, her credibility soon comes into question, but she is believed by Detective Hallstrom (Aidan Quinn) who has been tracking what he believes to be a serial killer. Hallstrom also believes that Emma may hold the key to the murderer's motives. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
Review
This is a taut psychological thriller that contains several distinctive elements that make it a worthy candidate for the "best movies you've probably never seen" file. First, there's the genuine chemistry between leads Aidan Quinn and Madeleine Stowe, casting that works just as well here as it did in their previous film together, Stakeout (1987). They're the Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan of the B-movie set and should probably work together again. Second, director Michael Apted makes creative use of the movie's central visual idea of a woman only half-witnessing a murder because her eyesight, recently restored, isn't up to full function yet. The medical concept of "delayed vision," which could be mistaken as one artificially contrived for the film, is an actual documented condition with which Alfred Hitchcock would have had a blast. Lastly, there's the unexpected and wholly welcome use of Irish roots rock, as performed by the real-life Chicago outfit the Drovers. The trio of songs they contribute are an intense, haunting addition to the score, cleverly providing the female lead with an interesting and realistic profession while reflecting on the characters' ethnic roots, bringing more depth and charm to the proceedings. Blink isn't the one film for which Apted will be remembered, but it's a stout, well-crafted genre flick that's definitely worth a look. Screenwriter Dana Stevens is also an actress who played a role in another film from Apted in the same year, Nell (1994). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
Bruce A. Young - Lt. Mitchell; Paul Dillon - Neal Booker; Kate Buddeke - Mrs. Whitney; Anthony Cannata - Ned; Lucy Childs - Margaret Tattersall; Debra Dusay - Female Detective; Marilyn Dodds Frank - Emma's Mother; Glendon Gabbard - Mr. Goldman; Lucina Paquet - Mrs. Goldman; Les Podewell - Old Man; Mary Seibel - Records Nurse; Valerie Spencer - Children's Nurse; Mary Ann Thebus - Mrs. Davison; Rick LeFevour - Driver; Adele Robbins - Davison Doctor; Michael P. Byrne - Barry; Shirley Spiegler-Jacobs - Grandmother; Kathryn Miller - Children's Nurse; Greg Noonan - Frank; Sam Sanders - Bobby
Credit
Jefferson Sage - Art Director, Susan Lyall - Costume Designer, Michael Apted - Director, Rick Shaine - Editor, Sara Risher - Executive Producer, Robert Shaye - Executive Producer, Brad Fiedel - Composer (Music Score), Scott White - Production Designer, Dan Bishop - Production Designer, Dante Spinotti - Cinematographer, David Blocker - Producer, Dianna Freas - Set Designer, Dana Stevens - Screenwriter
Emma is a young musician who has been blind for 20 years. New surgery techniques restore her vision, but initially cause 'vision flashes' which leave her uncertain about what she sees. One night she is awakened by a noise in the apartment above. Peeking out her door, she 'sees' a figure descending the stairs. She contacts the police, worried that her neighbour has been murdered, but is unsure if it was just her new vision deceiving her. The killer then begins to stalk Emma.
