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At First Sight

PG-13 Released Jan 12, 1999 2h 8m Romance Drama List
32% Tomatometer 38 Reviews 45% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
In the midst of a desperately needed vacation, cynical Manhattanite Amy Benic (Mira Sorvino) meets blind massage therapist Virgil Adamson (Val Kilmer). Fascinated by his independence and seduced by his positivity, Benic falls for him hard. As their relationship deepens, the two plan to leave the tiny resort town Adamson knows by touch for the hustle and bustle of New York City, where Benic suggests he undergo a cutting-edge medical procedure that could repair his sense of sight.
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At First Sight

At First Sight

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Critics Consensus

Interesting premise, but too long and conventional.

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Critics Reviews

View All (38) Critics Reviews
Lisa Schwarzbaum Entertainment Weekly Rated: C- Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Globe and Mail Rated: 2/4 Mar 19, 2002 Full Review Susan Stark Detroit News Rated: 2/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Matt Brunson Creative Loafing Director Irwin Winkler takes a thudding and detached approach to Steve Levitt's humanistic screenplay, but tart turns by Val Kilmer and Kelly McGillis provide the material with the conflict it requires. Rated: 2.5/4 Dec 5, 2015 Full Review Betty Jo Tucker ReelTalk Movie Reviews Most love scenes seem forced in 'At First Sight,' and the background music manipulates emotions without a trace of restraint. May 9, 2009 Full Review Michael Dequina TheMovieReport.com Kilmer registers little emotion aside from a silly grin he perpetually wears throughout the film. Rated: 2/4 May 3, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dudley H I am 47 now in 2023 and I can't believe that I am just seeing this movie. I also can hardly believe that it has gotten such bad reviews and ratings. No it is not packed full of action and blood and guts and gore. It's just not that kind of movie, but if you are looking for great acting from AMAZING actors then this is a great movie to watch. Val is just an awesome actor as well as the rest of the cast. This is a beautiful movie that shows us the simple things that we take for granted everyday. PLEASE give it a shot and you will walk away from this movie with a different outlook on things. To finish this all I want to say is that the 90s was the last great decade. Back when life was fun and simple and not so much hatred and political tension in the air. God do I long and hunger for those days again everyday. Y'all be good to each other out there. Life is to beautiful and short. I love you ALL. Be well. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/27/23 Full Review Steve D Effectively made but you know where it is going. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Based on the story of a real life couple, this movie is one of those quiet gems that is surprisingly underrated. If someone you love is living with a disability, the questions raised by the story are many of the hard ones we face today. Perhaps this movie was a little ahead of the times in stepping right up and pointing out that being 'normal' is not the right fit or ultimate goal for everyone. Kilmer's performance is absolutely wonderful. Sorvino nails the fascination that people sometimes feel for perfectly able individuals who live with a disability and the instant desire to solve their 'problem' that pops up in a relationship. Raising a neurodivergent child, this movie spoke to me in so many ways. The dignity and good humor in Virgil, the unfailing support from a sibling who sacrifices so much to support him and the well meaning 'help' pushed on them by someone who genuinely wants to help is brilliantly true to life. The final message of the movie really resonated with me. That accepting someone for who they are is truly loving them. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Between 2.5 and 3 stars. The medical case is quite interesting, not so much the way to show it on screen. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member As a visually disabled person, I appreciated the transition from blind to sighted, as performed by Val Kilmer. I have Nystagmus and stagger the world of the sighted and the blind. Social miscues and depth perception issues -- as portrayed in this film -- are issues that many visually disabled -- and especially persons with Nystagmus experience in their very real worlds. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member I'm surprised that this movie has such poor ratings! It's base on a true story. I was amazed at how it must have been for someone having been blind his entire life who see things for the first time. And the love of the woman who was with him during the ordeal. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Read all reviews
At First Sight

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis In the midst of a desperately needed vacation, cynical Manhattanite Amy Benic (Mira Sorvino) meets blind massage therapist Virgil Adamson (Val Kilmer). Fascinated by his independence and seduced by his positivity, Benic falls for him hard. As their relationship deepens, the two plan to leave the tiny resort town Adamson knows by touch for the hustle and bustle of New York City, where Benic suggests he undergo a cutting-edge medical procedure that could repair his sense of sight.
Director
Irwin Winkler
Producer
Rob Cowan, Irwin Winkler
Screenwriter
Oliver Sacks, Steve Levitt
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Argentina Video Home
Production Co
Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Romance, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 12, 1999, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 25, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA)
$22.4M
Runtime
2h 8m
Sound Mix
Surround, DTS
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