I never post movie reviews or blog about movies, but since I've been seeing so much hate on this website towards a really good film...I figure I'll give it a shot.
I saw this film at last year's Tribeca Film Festival, and it was, by far, the best movie at the whole festival. Before going in, all I knew was that The Eclipse was written and directed by playwright Conor McPherson. Not only does this film showcase McPherson's film-making talent, but it is also character actor Ciaran Hinds' first leading role--who ended up winning the Best Actor Award at the end of the TFF.
The film is a love story, a tragedy, and a little bit of a thriller. It blends all of these elements not only flawlessly, but effectively! You never know what to expect as each new scene unfolds, and as a result, every time you try to trust your sensibility towards cinema, the film does a 180º and we are suddenly in the middle of a horror film. If that's not engaging cinema, i don't know what is!
While I admit the "widowed father" set up is a bit tired, the film is so much better than that, and you sort of forget about that element once the film begins to move (unlike, The Boys Are Back).
Finally, with all of the elements considered, the film is a mere 88 minutes long. McPherson is able to mess with our sensibilities, throw in story elements from left and right, create fleshed out characters, and do it all within a small running time--the work of a true craftsman.
Ultimately, The Eclipse is a film that is not to be missed. Magnolia took their sweet time releasing this little gem, and I'm so happy to finally see it in limited release and OnDemand. I wish it would get the bigger treatment that it deserves, but if you can find it, by all means see it.
