Eyewitness

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Eyewitness

R

1981

1h 43m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

11 Reviews

41%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

New York City custodian Daryll Deever (William Hurt) is a big fan of local news reporter Tony Sokolow (Sigourney Weaver), so he is intrigued when she shows up to cover a story at his workplace. There's been a murder in the office building, and Tony suspects that Daryll may have insight into the crime, a notion that he furthers to stay close to her. However, when those behind the killing begin to think that Daryll really knows something, they target both him and Tony to keep their secrets hidden.

Michael Blowen

Boston Globe

Except for the ingratiating performances of Hurt and Weaver, this thriller-cum-mystery-cum-romance-cum-comedy is a victim of cinematic schizophrenia.

Apr 28, 2018

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Variety Staff

Variety

The story gets more and more strained before it's resolved.

Mar 26, 2009

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Time Out

An enjoyable entertainment whose box-office failure was thoroughly undeserved.

Jan 26, 2006

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

Peter Yates' initially promising thriller becomes a turgid trifle that wastes its '40s-noir-in-'80s-fashion premise. The only thing more anemic than its mystery or social commentary? Hurt and Weaver's sexual chemistry. Film at 11, asleep by 11:30.

Rated: 1.5/5

Jun 24, 2019

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The performances by Hurt and Plummer stand-out.

Rated: B

Apr 16, 2016

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TV Guide

Yates takes Tesich's basically wobbly story and makes much more out of it, driving the tale and the characters at a hectic pace and providing some truly unnerving moments.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 11, 2011

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Audience Member

Murder is one thing, being an eyewitness is just as dangerous. Daryl is a janitor that admires tv reporter Tony Sololow. After a murder in the building takes place Daryl is a witness to the crime. But he may know more than he's letting on. Not much excitement in this one. A lot of silent moments. Too much of a slow burner for me. But Weaver, Hurt, and Plummer are really good.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/24

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craig p

Has some good scenes, but the movie just doesn't come together well.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/12/23

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ashley h

Eyewitness is a decent film. It is about a janitor who claims he's seen a murder and becomes romantically involved with the glamorous TV reporter covering the story. William Hurt and Sigourney Weaver give good performances. The script is a little slow in places. Peter Yates did an alright job directing this movie. I liked this motion picture because of the drama and mystery.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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deke p

1981! Very slow, until parts, finally. Very implausible. TV reporter falling for a janitor. (kinda like the movie 'KnockedUP') Gets better. But i can't recommend it. At least it was 'no-nonsense', & I could hear and understand everything said, unlike the nonsense and mumbling in today's (circa 2022) movies. Kinda liked Siggy, but then that was 1981 her. ps: the dogfight was scary. Never saw it until tv, 7-30-2022. WOODS was the best.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Sameir A

This film may not be a great crime thriller to glue to the seat. But, there are a few interesting things in the film for film lovers, like a younger Morgan Freeman. Story goes mostly as expected.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/12/22

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michelle h

I recently saw this on an old movie channel and really liked it. It's not your run of the mill mystery film. There is an attempt to dive into characters more than the average thriller. As Roger Ebert had said in his film review, despite being a little off-beat, every scene in the film exists to develop character, not just move the plot forward. And, I found that very interesting.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Peter Yates

Director

William Hurt

Daryll Deever

Sigourney Weaver

Tony Sokolow

Christopher Plummer

Joseph

James Woods

Aldo Mercer

Irene Worth

Mrs. Sokolow

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Synopsis

New York City custodian Daryll Deever (William Hurt) is a big fan of local news reporter Tony Sokolow (Sigourney Weaver), so he is intrigued when she shows up to cover a story at his workplace. There's been a murder in the office building, and Tony suspects that Daryll may have insight into the crime, a notion that he furthers to stay close to her. However, when those behind the killing begin to think that Daryll really knows something, they target both him and Tony to keep their secrets hidden.

Director: Peter Yates
Producer: Peter Yates
Screenwriter: Steve Tesich
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2017
Runtime: 1h 43m