An Invisible Sign

An Invisible Sign is one of those films you kind of wish you had never seen. There are plenty of movies worse than this one; but this one tries so very hard to be both loved and cherished that it leaves one feeling used.

First-time feature-film director, Marilyn Agrelo (she had earlier directed the documentary Mad Hot Ballroom), uses so much saccharine in trying to sweeten Sign's audience into loving and liking and feeling for and/or sorry for this odd assortment of characters that one begins to wish strychnine had been used instead. In real-life, NONE of these eccentric characters would come across as likable and so one has to force himself/herself into finishing this film.

Jessica Alba (Fantastic Four, Sin City, Never Been Kissed) plays Mona Gray, an odd-duck of a character who is kicked-out of her house by her parents years after her genius mathematician father has suffered a nervous breakdown (she is kicked-out for no real reason other than she is 20 and her mom isn't likable). Lucky Mona, though (!), as her mother has helped get her daughter a job as the math teacher at the local elementary school ... Mona having no degree isn't a problem (Mom lied saying she had one) as the school never looks into her past (I'm not kidding).

It is at school/work surrounded by kids with greater problems than her own that Mona begins to wake-up to life and find purpose and meaning beyond a search for numbers. Mona also meets a fellow teacher played by Chris Messina (Julie & Julia, Monogamy, Vicky Cristina Barcelona) who becomes interested in her odd manners and seeks out her friendship. Just as these last few sentences suggest, An Invisible Sign IS oddly disjointed and filled with scenarios and situations that don't really go together. It is as if the film were pieced together because of "cute, little moments" ... instead of giving us a cohesive and plausible story.

There is little-to-no charm here and the entire thing feels tried and odd to me. I believe Messina's character was written/created for the sole purpose of having a sane individual in the film (yes ... groan). Alba has tried drama in the past and has come across marginally successful at times; but An Invisible Sign doesn't help her resume. It is almost too bad this one wasn't invisible.

Jessica Alba's character and cut-price Mark Ruffallo tribute act guy are at the movies. They're both talking over the film being "kooky" and "charming".

Some guy behind them asks them to stop talking. Ruffalo-lite tells him to get another seat, throws popcorn at him and then nearly starts a fight with him.

I mean, c'mon! Do they honestly think that movie fans watching the film are gonna warm to that kind of a-holeish behaviour?! Just seemed to me the film showed utter contempt for people who actually want to watch films without jerks talking over them. Why get so bent out of shape over one particular scene? Cos it's a waste. Little things like that can wreck a film. What the hell was the director thinking?

sure, it is far to be the right word. but it is the most comfortable. for a beautiful story, for a great job from Jessica Alba, for the touching atmosphere, for the performances of Marylouise Burke and J.K. Simmons. maybe because I am teacher, Mona Gray seems to me one of the most seductive characters from the last decade of cinema. because this job remains a refuge, has deep roots in the experiences of childhood, impose a form of train of exercises to escape from yourself. if a sin of film must be defined, it is , maybe, the desire of director to be a complete work - from traumas to the love story. but it is a small, almost insignificant sin. so, a lovely/touching film.

I'm really disappointed to see that this movie has such a low rating - it doesn't give the movie justice at all.

First of all, the story is unusual and well-told - I haven't read the book so I cannot compare but I suppose that the basis is very good because in general adaptations tend to be worse than original books, and this adaptation is pretty good. The film explores the idea of growing up - when does this moment come? What should happen to finally show us that we are adults ourselves, that there is no other grown-up around? This process of maturing of a person totally locked into her shell is very interesting. Secondly, I must say that I've never been Jessica Alba's fan but now I can say that she's not only pretty but she can act. Hope that she will have more films coming that actually involve acting. Thirdly, the ensemble cast gives a really good impression. There is no one who seems out of place. And finally, the film itself leaves you with such a warm and positive aftertaste that any faults that it has seem totally irrelevant.

Not a masterpiece but still a very good movie. 8/10

Definitely worth watching. The best word to describe it is 'interesting'. It seems quite slow sometimes, though never boring, just more character-driven than plot-driven for a large portion of the film - although more happens towards the end.

The actors playing the film's central/crucial characters played their roles well, and most had interesting, thought-provoking roles. Sophie Nyweide in particular was excellent as Lisa. To me, the film revolved around her and Mona, played well by Jessica Alba. Their relationship was interesting, especially alongside the film's comments on becoming and being a grown up. Lisa's character alone was one of the main things that kept me hooked when I was watching it; children's roles don't often go that deep in character. That, as well as Mona's views on numbers and any of the final thoughts the film leaves you with, makes An Invisible Sign something new and refreshing.

I didn't leave with a new favourite, but I'm very glad I watched it. It's not the type of film to suit everyone, but I recommend giving it a chance.