5.7 ! I can't believe how underrated this movie is. This is genuine,powerful drama. The first segment highlights the courtship of Amy and Virgil. It went well and stomped somewhat familiar ground and we thought it would pace the movie into expected and nice conclusion. The middle segment dealt with the operation and how Virgil had to retrain his brain to new-found vision as adult. ***SPOILER*** then the last segment makes an unexpected,tragic and cruel turn. If it was gut- wrenching to watch imagine how the real life "Virgil" for whom this true story was based on must have felt. Then the epilogue and closing remarks about the real "Amy" and "Virgil". This is powerful stuff. Val Klimer I thought was as action kick-butt guy only - was I wrong! He intelligently plays the first blind Virgil who had reconciled himself, then as the sighted Virgil who had to relearn everything as an adult, and lastly the at-peace Virgil again when he went blind again. In between sighted and then blindness he saw his older sister for first time, commented how beautiful she was and how she had given up life to take care of him, having both been abandoned by their runaway dad. His relationship with Amy is more complicated. He needs her but wants to have some Independence, while Amy is all loving and supportive. To provide some irony Amy had brief moment close to submitting to Duncan, the scheming ex-husband who wants them back together again. But it was too brief a moment and Amy affirmed her love to Virgil by abruptly breaking away from Duncam. We see these characters in real life. They are around us. They are us. Just like having doubts about Val Klimer, I had initial doubt about Mira Sorvino who too often associates with light comedy. Here She was caring and devoted to Virgil and shows she never lost sight of who she is. Kelly McGillis' protective, self- sacrificing big sister was believable. "I spent my whole life looking down, checking for pot holes so Virgil wouldn't fall in," she said. The medical staff was convincing. Ken Howard's brief but important appearance delivered the counterpoint. The script was intelligently written and many details about how the blinds adjust to their environment display careful research. This is the movie if you are in the mood for a well-acted and powerful drama.

For some reason, perhaps a review I read prior to watching this, I thought this might be an "Awakenings"-type story, so I was enthused about watching it. Well, it's not a tenth as good as "Awakenings" and shouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath as that fine film. If you read someone comparing the two films, don't believe it. One was intelligent and fascinating; one was stupid and boring.This is just awful. It's about a blind man who temporarily regains his sight, and then loses it again. That sounds interesting but the film, in a nutshell, turned out to be nothing but a long, soap opera with an extremely irritating female lead: Mia Sorvino, as "Amy Benic." Val Kilmer's character, "Virg Anderson," might have lost his sight but Sorvino obviously had lost her brains. What a bimbo! It doesn't help she blurts out OMG every third sentence, which makes her sound even more stupid. Kilmer, meanwhile, should stick with crime movies or westerns. He's very good in those kind of films. He stinks at melodrama. This movie did not need to go over two hours, either.In the end, it's just not a memorable story and it should have been, as "Awakenings" certainly wound up.

first of all, the paramount rule of eye surgery is YOU DO ONE EYE AT A TIME AND SEE HOW IT WORKS OUT. if the surgery is successful you do the other eye if not then need to seriously reconsider waiting until medical technology gives you another crack at it on the other eye.you don't do experimental surgery on BOTH eyes in the same operation.also, no freakin way a responsible medical practitioner would allow glaring camera lights in the room for a patient who's going to see for the first time in 25 years!!! DIM THE LIGHTS PEOPLE !!! I wont elaborate on the other absurdities but for me there were just too many.the good news is the performances were done well, this is a nice 'feel good' film with a so-so happy ending 'based on' a true story FWIW.Mira Sorvino has those classic Italian features and is very very smart lady fluent in 3 languages. maybe 4. very smart.

Although it is a true story -that's what the final lines tell us ,revealing us what would become of the two characters- the movie resembles a Douglas Sirk melodrama.Of course ,it has not the strength of the great director's magnificent weepies ,but it is ,all in all ,a good melodrama .Mia Sorvino and Val Kilmer give charming performances but the stand-out is for me Kelly McGillis who made the best of another of these supporting parts she's too often relegated to.She portrays a generous sister who sacrificed her life to her blind brother.When he returns to his native town,the reunion with her is probably the best moment of the film.The story has also some Capra accents,notably the scene with the homeless man on the sidewalk.