Matthew D
Mira Sorvino and Val Kilmer charm in this affectionate and underrated romance drama!
The Net director Irwin Winkler’s romance drama At First Sight (1999) is delightful and moving. I was pleasantly surprised that this long forgotten film is so tender, intimate, earnest, and devastating in its depiction of love. Mira Sorvino and Val Kilmer are dreamy, subtle, and sincere as this loving couple. Winkler’s intimate direction feels like we’re right close up to these characters the entire time during their whirlwind romance narrative. At First Sight reminded me of Love Story, Awakenings, and While You Were Sleeping. It’s cute, playful, flirty, sexy, empathetic, heartwarming, and heartbreaking.
Screenwriter Steve Levitt gives a realistic warmth and consideration to all the complexities of being blind, falling in love, and struggling to see what really matters. “I wish it would rain all the time. Rain all around us.” I thought this was such a beautiful sentiment uttered by Val’s blind man Virgil, who listens to the rain to understand the space around him. Levitt’s adaptation of Awakenings neurologist Oliver Sacks’ original short story is brilliant. The real blind man Shirl Jennings was the basis of At First Sight is tragic. I found this story in the movie very romantic.
Mira Sorvino is phenomenal as the lonely architect and romantic heroine Amy Benic. Sorvino let Amy be a hopeful romantic. I adore Mira Sorvino because she always feels so kind and warm as an actress. She’s very flirty, kind, and concerned with Val. She interestingly shows how Amy gets frustrated, annoyed, and impatient as Virgil’s sight is restored and their relationship is strained. Sorvino is sublime as the gorgeous, gentle, considerate, patient, nurturing, tender, and thoughtful. Mira Sorvino and Val Kilmer have real affectionate romantic chemistry together. Mira Sorvino’s portrayal of Amy’s hopeful romantic tenderness alongside her sadly pushing of Virgil to see again is all so heartfelt. Mira should have gotten an Oscar for At First Sight! They may be the prettiest romantic couple in a romance drama ever in At First Sight. Casting directors Billy Hopkins, Kerry Barden, and Suzanne Smith Crowley cast incredibly talented actors.
Val Kilmer is very likable, handsome, funny, heartbreaking, romantic, considerate, and thoughtful as the gentle romantic hero Virgil Adamson. His blind man has a playful voice and serene manners. He’s like every woman’s dream guy here. Val is impressive in portraying a blind man who tries to memorize his surroundings, but still can get hurt by hitting obstacles. It’s fascinating watching Val portray a blind man finding true love, gaining vision, and getting frustrated by his complications. I like how he gives blindness a grace and dignity because Virgil just wants to live his life. I miss Val and At First Sight may be his most underrated performance ever. Val Kilmer should have gotten his first Oscar for Tombstone, a second Oscar for Heat, and a third Oscar for At First Sight.
Kelly McGillis is intriguing as Virgil’s helpful, but overprotective sister Jennie Adamson. She ranges from cautious, comforting, jealous, to raging. It’s neat Kelly got to reunite with Val since they were both in Top Gun. Steven Weber is super cruel, rude, hateful, and judgmental as Amy’s ex-husband and fellow architect Duncan Allanbrook. He’s so sleazy that it took me aback. Bruce Davison is very nice as the seeing eye Dr. Charles Aaron, who helps Virgil see for the first time. Nathan Lane is hilarious and welcoming as the visual therapist Phil Webster, who helps Virgil understand his vision. Lane is very honest and entertaining. Ken Howard is very forceful, blunt, and selfish as Virgil’s father who abandoned him. Drena De Niro gets a nice smaller role as Caroline. Laura Kirk is funny as Amy’s sweet work friend Betsy Ernst.
Editor Julie Monroe’s cutting is sensitive to the loving or strained feelings of these characters. We get plenty of cinematographer John Seale’s lovely close-up shots. Composer Mark Isham’s fantastic film score features delicate piano playing. I really enjoyed the main romance theme that repeats throughout At First Sight. Diana Krall’s original jazz song is wonderful. Costume designer John Dunn gives everyone all these plush cozy sweaters.
In all, 128 minutes of At First Sight is totally enthralling thanks to the wondrous dramatic performances by Mira Sorvino and Val Kilmer.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
05/07/25
Full Review
Zara T
A good and lovely movie. Great cast especially Val Kilmer, Miro Sorvino and Kelly McGillis. Val went into this role with vigor. To potray a blind person without actually being blind. And he did it brilliantly. Of course I am not blind etc. And people who are blind or partially sighted might disagree with me. I love this movie. The 90s was a great decade for movies.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
04/19/25
Full Review
Dr Gary W
Yesterday Val Kilmer died. I have seen most of his action films but in my opinion in this movie we saw the real Val. Perhaps the best Val. A sensitive well portrayed victim of life who finds love. God bless him.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
04/02/25
Full Review
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 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
07/27/23
Full Review
Steve D
Effectively made but you know where it is going.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
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 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/16/23
Full Review
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