TAKE MY EYES - DVD review

"Take My Eyes" appears to begin at the end. Pilar (Laia Marull) packs her bags hurriedly in the middle of the night, fleeing home with her son Juan (Nicolás Fernández Luna) in tow. She runs to her sister Ana (Candela Peña) for refuge, and finds it. We soon learn her midnight flight was prompted by her abusive husband Antonio (Luis Tosar) who put her in the hospital one too many times. Having escaped to the tender sanctuary of her sister's home, it would seem Pilar has triumphed over adversity, and is ready to start a new life. Alas, clean breaks only happen in movies or, rather, in lesser movies than "Take My Eyes."

Antonio is quick to pursue Pilar, demanding that she return at once. When anger doesn't work, he switches tactics, attending counseling sessions to learn how to cope with his emotions. Soon, he returns to Pilar with a promise that he is a changed man, and she decides to give him a second chance.

You're probably cringing while reading that last paragraph; I guarantee you will cringe even more while watching it unfold on screen. It is obvious to everyone but Pilar that Antonio has changed very little, if at all. Indeed, it seems inconceivable to any outside observer that Pilar would risk returning to such an abusive relationship, to a man who once kicked her in the kidneys, to a man whose every sudden movement causes Pilar to cover her face and tremble in sheer terror. Director Icíar Bollaín's primary achievement in "Take My Eyes" is to make us understand just why Pilar might do such a self-destructive thing.

Two factors (at least) keep Pilar hooked. First is the carrot always dangled in front of her: "I'm going to change, honey. You'll see." This is a story Pilar has been following for years now, and curiosity entices her to stick around to see how it all unfolds. Second, there are the occasional moments of kindness and affection Antonio graces her with. When Pilar shows interest in working at a museum, Antonio surprises her with an art book. In contrast to his mercurial mood swings and his unremitting selfishness, Antonio's rare act of generosity feels like a gift directly from God. It not only brings tears to Pilar's eyes, but (literally) sends her into an orgasm from the joy/relief of the experience. Much like the straight-D student who parlays his first B- into a new car, Antonio has mastered the art of setting expectations as low as possible.

This love is not a tender trap, but an engulfing morass. Pilar has a lot of emotional energy invested in being the center of Antonio's maelstrom; it is as exciting as it is terrifying. I am not suggesting that she invites the abuse, but that she has gotten so use to living in crisis that the safety of Ana's caring home seems downright boring by comparison. Naturally, the second chance doesn't work out; Antonio's coping mechanisms from his counselor can only bottle up his rage for so long. And so the film ends where it began with Pilar packing up to leave, this time with help from friends at work. If there is a real change in the story, it is that Pilar no longer thinks she is alone, but the final note of triumphant "girl power" doesn't sound entirely convincing. Will this be Pilar's final escape, or will she reach for that carrot one more time. I swear honey, this time I've changed.

Video:
The film is presented in its original 16:9 wide-screen aspect ratio. The image quality is adequate but not stunning. There are some examples of combing, but nothing too bad.

Audio:
The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital. Optional English subtitles support the Spanish audio.

Extras:
"A Love that Kills" (20 min.) is a short feature also directed by Bollaín that weaves together a sort of "behind-the-scenes" fictional account of Antonio's attempts to deal with his anger. It paints an even more damning picture of the abuser than the film itself does.

Closing Thoughts:
"Take My Eyes" is a fairly straight-forward melodrama that provides a harrowing account of an abusive marriage. It is made all the more disturbing because we understand why both spouses act the way they do. Though Antonio's actions are despicable, he is not just an unthinking monster. He may even be sincere in his attempts to change. Pilar is no idiot, but gives in to the very human desire to hope that the best might occur, even when faced with overwhelming evidence to the contrary.