Movie Review: Sight

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B

A very well-made film about the life of Ming Wang, a brilliant doctor who helped blind people be able to see. 

What really made this movie work is the way it is told. This film tells one specific story within the doctor's life. However, this is interspliced with flashbacks, where we see everything that brought him to this point. These flashbacks are often the most emotional parts of the film. Because of this the main story becomes all the more emotionally involving. What at first seems just like a conventional and not especially emotionally involving telling of this story, gains more emotional urgency as we begin to understand more and more what is driving this character. The flashbacks are also often very well juxtaposed with the main story, with many reflecting what we see in the next scene. The main story also has its share of heart felt moments, especially towards the film's last act. A scene in a church is especially touching. This movie also benefits from a very strong lead performance by Terry Chen. The movie also benefits from a very strong sense of humor with some truly funny moments. of being based off such an incredible true story doesn't hurt either. 

Anyone familiar with the studio or the filmmakers will know that even if it is not the focus their will be some Christian messages here. They are very well incorporated into the plot without feeling like the film stops to preach to its audience. In fact, some of these moments are even some of the film's most emotional.

This film does have its flaws though. One is that the supporting characters are often quite bland, and we never get to really know them as characters. The romance also can feel tacked on. It doesn't really add much to the story and instead kind of distracts from it. It also is not that interesting. It seems to be here because nearly all biopic movies have a romance in them. 

Though this movie has its flaws, it also has a lot to recommend it.