Lazy Eye (2016) Reviews

• Stands out from the crowd

  Gordon-112016-09-23

  This film tells the story of a man who meets his ex boyfriend for the first time in a house in the Mojave desert, after he left without a trace fifteen years ago. "Lazy Eye" stands out from the crowd because it is very well made. The production is very good, and you can tell everything is professionally made. The sets and locations are nice, and I can see much thought have been put into the designs of what is seen on screen. I particularly like the four coloured prints on the wall of Dean's office, and the nice lighting by the pool at night that illuminates the characters. Story telling is a strong point in this film. Even though there are only two characters in most of the film, I remain captivated by their constantly changing and dynamic interaction. Every line drives the next line, and I just want more of the story to unfold. I really enjoyed watching "Lazy Eye".

• Soulful, beautiful, intimate film

  djaynes2016-11-19

  Lazy Eye does a brilliant job of capturing the nuances and complications of intimacy. I was captivated by the chemistry between the two leads, Dean and Alex. Their superb acting and the carefully crafted story-telling truly bring this story to life. I appreciate the way the passing of time is handled in this film. It resonates with anyone who has met back up with an old relationship. It feels organic. Joshua Tree is such a gorgeous back-drop to this narrative. From a production stand-point, this film captures an aesthetic that honors the insane beauty of the desert. Lovely, beautiful film in every way. I highly recommend.

• Strong opening fizzles out in the second half

  waderobson2016-09-23

  Dean is having a midlife crisis. He hates his job and sees too little of his traveling boyfriend when an old flame reconnects after 15 years. The first Act is pleasing, with very snappy dialogue between Dean and his working partner Mel. As we transition into Act 2, Dean goes off to his cabin-like second home in remote Joshua Tree (outside of Palm Springs). The early scenes are delightfully cinematic and devoid of excessive dialogue but when the old flame arrives to visit, the film makes an unhappy transition to a radio play, with too much dialogue and too little action. The first few minutes with the ex-lover provide a few humorous lines, but the tone quickly becomes darker and most of the humor is lost at this point. The last half of the film begins to drag and follows the familiar plot line of the midlife crisis/seven year inch genre -- films like "eCupid" and "Bedrooms & Hallways" with the same prescribed ending. The film is beautifully lit and photographed, and all of the cast turn-in first-rate performances, but the weak second half of the script won't encourage repeated viewings.

• Never look back

  cekadah2016-12-26

  First I want to thank Director: Tim Kirkman for making a good film on a touchy subject, that being male companionship and how it's often based on a shallow foundation. In Lazy Eye the character Dean decides to look back and find a guy he had a brief relationship with 15 years past. What Dean fails to realize is that the entire affair with Alex was based on lust and not common interest or friendship. He finds Alex through the now all pervasive social media via the internet and discovers that Alex is open for a short visit to Dean's desert house. We discover early on that Dean and Alex are more interested in one another physically than mentally because within five minutes of meeting again after 15 years they are both in the sack! From that point on their relationship and efforts to catch-up through talking is strained and often confrontational. In addition both seem to regress to the emotional level both were at 15 years earlier. Dean is only curious because he is not completely truthful with Alex about his life. And the past 15 years with Alex's life remains a mystery to Dean and the viewer. This movie has nice production values and the actors try to bring the script to life. The story is a bit weak but it's brought together nicely.

• Brilliant, poignant and wistful glimpse at the reality of lost love regained

  jon-944112016-07-07

  I just saw this at a festival and was floored by the execution in every aspect of this movie. The script is smart and engaging, poignant, funny and realistic, working on many levels. The actors are amazing, absolutely believable over a span of fifteen years, and despite the small cast it never feels stagey, claustrophobic or forced. It is brilliantly shot and gorgeous to look at, with production values that boggle the mind considering the budget, and apparently a very tight shooting schedule. Can't recommend it highly enough. I was going to give it nine stars (just because, I guess) but thinking back on it as I write this, I can't think of any reason it doesn't deserve ten. Great film.