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Lazy Eye

Country: USA, Language: English, 94 mins

  • Director: Tim Kirkman
  • Writer: Tim Kirkman
  • Producer: John Ainsworth; Veronica Amick-Becerra

CGiii Comment

Basically, it's a two-hander...with two acts...and, strong production values.

A successful two-hander needs two strong performances and two strong acts...and, that is where the problem lies...despite the strong production values.

Act One introduces us to Dean, a man up-to-his-neck in the dreaded mid-life crisis...he moans, complains and whines...alot, too much. In truth, his life seems rather comfortable...but, old ambitions of fame and fortune [obviously] have not been realised...and when a [timely] spanner is thrown into the works...by way of an old flame who was extinguished 15 years previously...there is a re-kindling of [too many] 'what-ifs'...

Act Two...they meet, discuss and dissect...emphasis on 'discuss' and 'dissect'...relentlessly. Now, Dean [with not as much money as he would like...but, still has a second home - in the desert - with a pool] is an almost fully-formed [albeit moany] character...Alex [with money] is an empty shell...who delivers the weaker performance...quite possibly, due to the writing.

The revelations arrive with slow predictability accompanied by screeds of dialogue...yes, young couples break up [for unsurprising reasons]...and, yes, people change...they evolve, develop and mature...heading [according to Dean] towards the comfort and sanctity of the Nuclear Family...yes, let us emulate our heterosexual brothers and sisters!

This all sounds a rather harsh summation of the film...but, when a film starts...and - by the end, after what can only be described as a hiccup [and screeds of dialogue] - ends up where it started...there is a re-kindling of...what-if the director/writer actually thought about the character arcs of his characters before he put pen to paper...there are none! They, literally, go nowhere!

Rather than a voyage of discovery, Lazy Eye is a return-ticket to [and from] a familiar place. And, let's face it...for some, a familiar journey is a perfectly pleasing dalliance.


Trailer...

The(ir) Blurb...

When Dean, a 40-year-old graphic designer in Los Angeles, notices a sudden change in his vision, an ex-love from 15 years earlier contacts him unexpectedly in hopes of rekindling their relationship. When the two meet at a vacation house in the desert near Joshua Tree, secrets are revealed and lies unearthed that threaten to upend both of their lives. Forty-eight hours later, neither will ever be the same.

Cast & Characters

Lucas Near-Verbrugghe as Dean;
Aaron Costa Ganis as Alex;
Michaela Watkins as Mel;
Debbie Jaffe as Bartender;
Renee Willett as Waitress;
Michael Rubenstone as Bar Manager;
Simon Petrie as Mel's Assistant;
Drew Barr as Optometrist;
Harrison Givens as Friend