In Your Eyes (2014 film)

In Your Eyes

Movie poster
Directed by Brin Hill
Produced by Kai Cole
Michael Roiff
Written by Joss Whedon
Starring Zoe Kazan
Michael Stahl-David
Nikki Reed
Steve Harris
Mark Feuerstein
Music by Tony Morales
Cinematography Elisha Christian
Edited by Steven Pilgrim
Production
company
Bellwether Pictures
Night & Day Pictures
Release dates
  • April 20, 2014 (2014-04-20)
Running time
 106 minutes[1]
Country United States
Language English

In Your Eyes is a 2014 American paranormal romance film directed by Brin Hill and written by Joss Whedon, starring Zoe Kazan, Michael Stahl-David, Nikki Reed, Steve Harris and Mark Feuerstein. It is the second feature by Bellwether Pictures. In Your Eyes, set in New Mexico and New Hampshire, follows Dylan and Rebecca. They live on opposite sides of the country, but are able to sense what the other is feeling - despite being strangers.

The film had its world premiere at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival on April 20. Immediately afterwards, it was self-distributed online instead of taking on theatrical distribution.

Plot

A young Rebecca Porter is about to go sledding in New Hampshire, while across the country in New Mexico, a young Dylan Kershaw is at school with a group of his friends. Suddenly, without even knowing what is happening or why, Dylan is able to experience everything that Rebecca experiences, and at the exact moment that Rebecca crashes her sled, rendering her unconscious, Dylan is thrown from his desk and is knocked out cold.

Twenty years later, Rebecca (Zoe Kazan) is married to a successful doctor, Phillip Porter (Mark Feuerstein), while Dylan (Michael Stahl-David) has just recently gotten out of prison. One night, Rebecca attends a dinner party with her husband, and Dylan is at a local bar trying to stay out of trouble. However, a man who he had been playing pool with earlier hits him on the back with a pool stick. The impact flings Rebecca to the floor, which she cannot explain to the host of the dinner party, and leads to her husband chastising her for her behavior.

The next day, Dylan and Becky connect once more and they learn that if they speak aloud they can hear one another, they can see what the other is looking at, and feel what the other is feeling. They establish that they are not just figments of their respective imaginations, and they are indeed actual people. They set a meeting time to talk later on that night, and they slowly begin to get to know one another through several scenes where they talk, show each other their surroundings, share their dreams and shared experiences, finally stepping in front of mirrors for a visual introduction.

Throughout their experiences (Becky's fundraiser, Dylan's date, etc.) they grow closer. Becky realizes that Dylan is in love with her and she herself is falling in love with him, so she tries to break off their communication, much to their despair. At the same time, circumstances are closing in on the both of them. Becky's husband feels she has grown distant from him, and he is puzzled and disturbed by her odd behavior he has seen when she has been in mental contact with Dylan. One of her friends, thinking that Becky is either having an affair or is cracking up, brings her suspicions to him, and he and a medical colleague have her forcibly institutionalized. Dylan, on the other hand, loses his post-prison job working in a car wash when customers see him seemingly talking to himself as if he were crazy, when in fact, he was speaking to Becky. At the same time, while he is trying to make a clean break from his criminal past, he is menaced by two long-time criminal acquaintances trying to pressure him into using his skills as a burglar to help them commit a big heist.

Later, Dylan feels that Becky is in trouble and he violates his parole by stealing a truck to get to the airport and leaving the state without permission, taking a plane to New Hampshire to rescue Becky from the mental institution. Unable to rent a car at the airport, Dylan steals one. While she telepathically guides him over what are to him unfamiliar roads between the airport and the institution, he uses his criminal smarts to guide Becky through her escape from the facility, including picking a lock on a door. Becky avoids detection until reaching the front door, where she runs into her husband and subsequently punches him in the face before fleeing the facility, while Dylan is being chased by several police cars. They both manage to elude their respective pursuers and end up on foot running through the woods towards a train. They run alongside the moving train from opposite sides of the track and manage to climb into an empty box car, where they finally unite in person.

Cast

Abigail Spencer was originally set to play the lead in the film, but the role was later given to Kazan.[9][10]

Production

Principal photography began late February 2012, in New Hampshire.[11] Producer and co-founder of Bellwether Pictures Kai Cole elaborated on the choice, saying, “Location is very important to me. I think people can tell when you're tricking them with movie magic. We wanted everything to be authentic, from the architecture to the landscape and New Hampshire is perfect for us".[12] Director Brin Hill added that resulting from the importance of it in the script, "we were chasing snow. We started out in Connecticut, but there was no snow, so we moved to Ohio, but there was no snow [...] and we kept moving north".[13][14] The filming took place in Exeter, Manchester, Hooksett, Bedford, Windham, Claremont and Amherst.[15][16] The opening sequence at the sledding hill was filmed at McIntyre Ski Area, and some footage was also shot in the New Mexico desert.[17] They wrapped their last day of filming on the East Coast in early March 2012, moving next to Los Angeles to shoot the other half.[16] Hill shot the film digitally with an Arri Alexa, and said that he enjoyed the "versatility" of it, citing its proximity in look to film as a satisfying trait for both him and his DP, Elisha Christian.[18] The screenplay was written by Joss Whedon in the early 90s, and went through multiple rewrites over the course of two decades.[19] To Hill, "the most interesting aspect of the script was its theme of connection–and what it means to connect in today’s society".[13]

Music

Tony Morales composed the score for In Your Eyes.[20] It was recorded at Emoto Studios in 2013.[21] On collaborating with Brin Hill and Joss Whedon, Morales said, "I primarily worked with Brin on the music for [the film]. Joss had a vision for the score that we were able to run with. As the sound of the score was coming together, Joss and the other producers were all part of the approval process".[22] A hybrid of string instruments, piano sounds, and a variety of electronic music were used by Morales to convey a sense of "mystery" that could "weave in and out" of the "romantic energy".[23] All music was released by Lakeshore Records.[24] The score and soundtrack were digitally available on June 10, 2014.[25][26]

Release

In Your Eyes premiered on April 20 at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival.[1][28] In place of theatrical distribution, the film was put up for simultaneous release. The venture was announced after its debut screening in a video message from Joss Whedon, who said that the Tribeca premiere was "not just the premiere of the film. It is the worldwide release date".[29][30] Brin Hill described the experimental method as "bittersweet, because it's uncharted territory. But there’s something thrilling about this. [...] There’s something exciting about just making it available everywhere to everyone at once".[31]

Critical reaction

According to Rotten Tomatoes, 63% of critics have given the film positive feedback (based on 16 reviews).[32]

Kurt Loder of Reason.com complimented the director for making "a lustrous film out of Whedon's ingenious story",[33] while Mark Adams of ScreenDaily lauded it by saying, "It has the perfect balance of humour and tenderness, with just a dash of danger and even melodrama on the side".[34] John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter praised Brin Hill's ability to depict "the couple's growing intimacy", but felt that "the forces keeping both from being fulfilled" lacked development.[35] Eric Kohn of Indiewire wrote that In Your Eyes "successfully offers the lightweight alternative to Whedon's bigger projects: It's cheesy and slight, but persistently smart and entertaining within those narrow parameters".[36]

The Guardian scored the film two out of five stars, calling it "a rom-com version of The Shining".[37] Peter Debruge of Variety said that the film's "setup never really matures beyond a sentimental teenage fantasy".[38]

Home media

In Your Eyes was released on DVD on February 10, 2015.[39]

References

  1. 1 2 "IN YOUR EYES". tribecafilmfestival.org. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  2. ↑ Fleming Jr, Mike (February 15, 2012). "Joss Whedon's 'In Your Eyes' Lands Leads". deadline.com. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  3. ↑ Puchko, Kristy (February 15, 2012). "New Details On Joss Whedon's In Your Eyes, Plus Lead Announcements". cinemablend.com. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  4. ↑ Kirby, Iona (July 10, 2013). "They'd do anything for a free Slurpee! Nikki Reed takes the plunge as Audrina Patridge slips into tiny shorts for 7-Eleven's birthday". dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Bellwether Pictures Presents" (PDF). amazonaws.com. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  6. ↑ Daigle, Beth (April 27, 2012). "Valleywood: On the Set of Joss Whedon's "In Your Eyes"". mvmag.net. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  7. ↑ Brooks, Brian (February 23, 2012). "'Shameless' Regular Steve Howey Cast In Indie 'In Your Eyes'". deadline.com. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  8. ↑ Francis, Nathan (September 24, 2013). "Jennifer Grey Set To Make Big-Screen Return In Joss Whedon Movie 'In Your Eyes'". inquisitr.com. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  9. ↑ Enk, Bryan (February 15, 2012). "Joss Whedon's 'In Your Eyes' Gets Good-Lookin' Leads". nextmovie.com. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  10. ↑ Jagernauth, Kevin (February 15, 2012). "Zoe Kazan Replaces Abigail Spencer In Join Joss Whedon-Penned 'In Your Eyes'; 'Cloverfield' Star Michael Stahl-David Also Joins". indiewire.com. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  11. ↑ Newton, Matthew (February 21, 2012). "NEW HAMPSHIRE IS IN THEIR EYES". nf.gov. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  12. ↑ Newton, Matthew (February 21, 2012). "Joss Whedon's IN YOUR EYES set to film in New Hampshire". nhfilmoffice.blogspot.com. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  13. 1 2 Teich, David (April 24, 2014). "2014 Tribeca Film Festival Filmmaker Interview: Brin Hill (Director-'In Your Eyes')". indienyc.com. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  14. ↑ Taylor, Drew (April 23, 2014). "Tribeca Spotlight: In Your Eyes Director Brin Hill on Mixing Joss Whedon's Voice with his "Naturalistic Aesthetic"". studiosystemnews.com. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Joss Whedon's 'In Your Eyes' begins filming in New Hampshire next week". onlocationvacations.com. February 23, 2012. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  16. 1 2 Shanahan, Mark & Goldstein, Meredith (March 9, 2012). "'Eyes' wraps in New Hampshire". bostonglobe.com. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  17. ↑ Cresta, Joey (February 28, 2012). "'In Your Eyes' producer picks Exeter for set of movie". seacoastonline.com. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Meet the 2014 Tribeca Filmmakers #39: Brin Hill Chased Snow for 'In Your Eyes,' Written By Joss Whedon". indiewire.com. April 16, 2014. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  19. ↑ Topel, Fred (April 22, 2014). "Tribeca 2014: Zoe Kazan and Michael Stahl David on In Your Eyes". craveonline.com. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  20. ↑ Jagernauth, Kevin (April 17, 2014). "Tribeca Exclusive: Listen To "Break Up" From Tony Morales' Score For Joss Whedon-Penned 'In Your Eyes'". indiewire.com. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  21. ↑ ""In Your Eyes" score preview at Indiewire". allegro-entertainment.com. April 17, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  22. ↑ Loring, Allison (March 10, 2014). "Interview with Multi-Faceted TV & Film Composer, Tony Morales". fan.tv. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  23. ↑ Levins, Devon (April 20, 2014). "EVR ARCHIVE PLAYER". eastvillageradio.com. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Coming Soon: 'In Your Eyes' Soundtrack, Score By Tony Morales Watch The Movie On Demand". filmmusicdaily.com. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
  25. ↑ "'In Your Eyes' Soundtrack Details". filmmusicreporter.com. May 30, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  26. ↑ "In Your Eyes - Original Score". soundtrack.net. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  27. ↑ Vineyard, Jennifer (April 21, 2014). "How Whedon-esque Is Joss Whedon's New Film, In Your Eyes?". vulture.com. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  28. ↑ Zakarin, Jordan (March 6, 2014). "Tribeca Film Festival 2014 Slate Led by Roman Polanski, Joss Whedon, Nicole Holofcener Movies". thewrap.com. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  29. ↑ Shaw, Lucas (April 20, 2014). "Joss Whedon Is Renting His Latest Movie for $5 Using Vimeo". thewrap.com. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  30. ↑ Truitt, Brian (April 20, 2014). "Whedon releases new film 'In Your Eyes' online". usatoday.com. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  31. ↑ Zeitchik, Steven (April 20, 2014). "Tribeca: Joss Whedon will make new movie available immediately online". latimes.com. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  32. ↑ "In Your Eyes (2012)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  33. ↑ Loder, Kurt (April 21, 2014). "In Your Eyes: A DIY showcase". Reason.com. Retrieved April 26, 2014.
  34. ↑ Adams, Mark (April 23, 2014). "In Your Eyes". ScreenDaily. Retrieved April 26, 2014.
  35. ↑ DeFore, John (April 21, 2014). "In Your Eyes: Tribeca Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  36. ↑ Kohn, Eric (April 21, 2014). "Tribeca Review: Joss Whedon-Scripted Romance 'In Your Eyes' Is Ideal For His Microbudget Studio". Indiewire. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  37. ↑ Shone, Tom (April 25, 2014). "In Your Eyes first look review – a rom-com version of The Shining". The Guardian. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  38. ↑ Debruge, Peter (April 24, 2014). "Tribeca Film Review: 'In Your Eyes'". Variety. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  39. ↑ Barton, Steve (January 16, 2015). "Joss Whedon Shoots Supernatural Romance In Your Eyes". Dread Central. Retrieved January 17, 2015.

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