So many reviews I read attempt to bring this film in perspective versus Ms. Rowlings Potter films. It isn't necessary. Ms. Rowlings is a wonderful storyteller. Just enjoy the story and revel in her imagination for a couple of hours. Isn't loosing yourself what movie going is supposed to be about? As an added bonus, I feel certain that after seeing this film you will be looking forward to seeing the next installment. Ms. Rowlings will keep Warner Bros. in the money for years to come.The bad guys are bad. The good guys are good. There are children being children and adults being adults. It doesn't matter in Ms. Rowlings world if you are magical or muggle the traits within these groups stay the same. Children with hopes, desires, and fears. Adults with responsibilities. And young adults growing out of childhood and into adulthood trying to bridge the divide.One group trying to subjugate another. Another group trying to free those being suppressed. It's all so easy to relate to in our own lives whether you are a child, an adult, or one in-between. At least there are no zombies :)

Sometimes when diving through the DVD bargain bin, you can find a gem of a movie. Other times you can find movies that while they are not great, are all the same good enough to be worth the small cost you have to pay. "I Witness" is one example of the latter. It seems to have been a labor of love for all concerned, given the obvious low budget. Actually, the small budget does not really hurt the movie, since the majority of the movie takes place in run down Mexican locations; without a big budget to spruce things up, you can really feel the poverty and the breeding place for crime and corruption. The cast does a pretty good job, especially James Spader, who really shines despite having a somewhat limited part. Jeff Daniels is also good, though his character seems at times to be somewhat naive for someone who has made a career going to various hot spots around the globe looking for human rights violations. If there is any other flaw with the script, it's that the story unfolds at a somewhat slow pace (though the movie never gets boring.) It's a good movie that's worth seeing. One warning, though: If you are thinking of travelling to Mexico for any purpose, by the end of the movie you'll probably be cancelling your plans.

Spotted this DVD on eBay and bought it on the cheap from someone in the UK. Watched it last night and all I can say is what a great surprise! This is a really well done political thriller in the tradition of Traffic. Daniels, Spader, de Rossi, and especially Clifton Collins do some terrific acting. The direction is tight, the story is interesting, the political angle is provocative, the Mexican sets are authentic. All in all a very good film for what was obviously a smallish budget. Why this movie isn't on video in the US (was it ever shown in a theater?) is beyond me. Especially considering all the crap that IS on video. Does anyone know what happened to this movie?

In Tijuana, Mexico, near to the border with USA, James Rhodes (the excellent Jeff Daniels) is a member of the Human Rights organization, working as an observer of the election of the workers of an American company, represented by the member of U.S. Government Emily Thompson (Portia de Rossi). The local workers are supposed to decide whether they want the union in the company or not. Meanwhile, twenty-seven bodies of humble people are found buried in an abandoned tunnel, drilled in the past by the lord of the drugs Voltan. In the same day, two young American are killed while driving their motorcycles off-road, in a track in a desert area. These events apparently not related are investigated by Claudio Castillo (Clifton Collins Jr.), a honest detective from Mexican homicide department, pressed by James and his superiors. Voltan is blamed for all the deaths, and resolves to help indirectly James in his investigation. Douglas Draper (James Spader) is a cynical liaison of the American police force, working together with the corrupt Captain Madrid (Jordi Caballero). The conclusion of this realistic story is full of revelations of dirty secrets. This movie was the wonderful surprise of the year: it is an excellent thriller. There is no clichés, no special effects and the characters are very human and well developed. The screenplay is very tight, without flaws; the direction is outstanding; and the magnificent cast has a marvelous performance. The plot recalls a Costa-Gravas movie, showing corruption both in Americans and Mexicans. The resolution of the situation is not corny or commercial, and does not spare or redeem any character, what is not common in American movies. Congratulation to all the persons that contributed for such an excellent entertainment. I just do not understand why this movie has had no promotion from the specialized critics and means of communication. My vote is ten.Title (Brazil): `Testemunha Ocular' (`Eye Witness')