The Mothman Prophecies
Interview with director
Mark Pellington
Review by By Clint Morris
 Richard
Gere's film career has experienced more ups and downs than
the top end of a camel. One minute he's the 'next big thing'
(see: American Gigolo), the next he's the comeback
king (see: Pretty Woman) and then, all too swiftly,
he's a washed-up has-been (see: Dr T and The Women).
This month Gere borderlines on a 'second coming' as the star
of the promising supernatural delicacy The Mothman Prophecies.
Obviously influenced by the recent works of one said M. Night
Shyamalan, Mark Pellington's Mothman Prophecies is
a film that attempts to rouse the pores of the earthed human
interior, whilst giving the brain muscle a lesson in logicality
101. It mightn't cut the mustard in some of these areas -
but it does others.
Allegedly based on true events, Mothman centres on
a small West Virginia community, whose residents are reportedly
spotting an eerie mothman and other unexplained phenomena.
John Klein (Gere) knows exactly what they're describing, his
wife (Messing) went on record as saying this is what she saw
before her inopportune death as the result of a car accident.
Furtively bought to the town of Point Pleasant, Gere joins
the community's favourite cop (Linney) to seek out the truth
in what's going on - and why.
The Mothman Prophecies is a compelling watch. Some
spots drag, others zoom, but it all comes together in a very
clever finale. Sadly though, the 'jumping out of your seat'
that director and writer Mark Pellington wants audiences to
experience won't happen here. The scares are all a little
too generic and below-the-boo to rouse even the hairs on Grandma's
spine.
Seen from the point of a Richard Gere movie though, The
Mothman Prophecies is a marvel. It's one of the most interesting
films he's lent his name to in years. Should he decide to
be even choosier with his future screen endeavours, he might
get that huge opening weekend he so desires yet again.
3.5 out of 5
The Mothman Prophecies
Australian release: Thursday May 23rd
Cast: Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Will Patton, Debra Messing,
Nesbitt Blaisdell.
Director: Mark Pellington.
Website: Click
here
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