Blind Loves…

Blind Loves Review

18 May 2009

Critics rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Reviewed by Tom Charity , LOVEFiLM

"What super power would you have?" someone asks Zuzana in an internet chatroom.

“To be invisible,” she replies. “To walk through walls and to read peoples minds…”

We get a taste of these wondrous gifts ourselves, courtesy of this beguiling and whimsical observational film by Slovak music video director Juraj Lehotsky. Shot over a five year period, the movie is a documentary which applies some fictional techniques – including some scripted scenes, and one especially startling fantasy sequence which it would be a shame to spoil here.

Blind Loves

Director Juraj Lehotsky

Genres Documentary

Run time 77 mins Certificate PG

Don’t go imagining anything too dramatic, though, for the most part Lehotsky gives us a modest, close portrait of four blind people and their partners and loved ones, mostly going about their everyday lives: watching TV, cooking, decorating a Christmas tree…

These activities may sound banal, but there is something fascinating, even voyeuristic about seeing them accomplished by the sight-deprived. Feeling the Xmas lights for heat to check that they’re on, for instance – for some reason it matters. Or the throwaway comment that one woman makes about her husband’s “broad shoulders” (she’s knitting him a jumper). He’s disappointed, he says, he always thought of himself as slim.

Blind Loves

Exquisitely photographed and edited, Blind Loves is a visual delight...

Exquisitely photographed and edited, Blind Loves is a visual delight – but it’s not remotely condescending towards its blind protagonists. On the contrary, Lehotsky has crafted a precious tribute to these ordinary people’s intuitive ability to feel.

The cinema of blindness is a fairly narrow field, for obvious reasons I guess. I can think of one or two marvelous non-fiction films (Werner Herzog’s Land Of Silence And Darkness for instance, the recent Blind Sight, and Black Sun) and then a few thrillers (most famously Wait Until Dark), the long-running Zatoichi series, and the odd sentimental drama (Scent of a Woman) but certainly nothing quite like this. Take a look – and savour your ability to do so.

Blind Loves Reviews

Critic's review of Blind Loves
View all critics' reviews (2)
- This moving, imaginative debut feature from Bratislava-based Juraj Lehotsky is a portrait of four blind people â"... read more on Time Out
- 52780
- - Wally Hammond
  - Time Out
  - 21 May 2009 at 03:44
Most helpful member's review of Blind Loves
View all (1)
- - 2
  - 0
  BlIND LOVES
  
  Artistic documentary with intriguing results. Yes the subject is obvious but isnt all great art simple? Seeing the perspective of finding love through the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 790518
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - a customer
  - Brighton
  - 28 Jul 2009 at 17:49

- - 2
  - 0
  BlIND LOVES
  
  Artistic documentary with intriguing results. Yes the subject is obvious but isnt all great art simple? Seeing the perspective of finding love through the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 790518
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - a customer
  - Brighton
  - 28 Jul 2009 at 17:49

< Prev
1
Next >

Critics' reviews
- This moving, imaginative debut feature from Bratislava-based Juraj Lehotsky is a portrait of four blind people â"... read more on Time Out
- 52780
- - Wally Hammond
  - Time Out
  - 21 May 2009 at 03:44
- Hauntingly visual
- 53750
- - Time Out
  - 16 Jun 2009 at 01:27

Agree or disagree? Write your own review

Review title: Give it a rating:

Write your review:

Tips for writing helpful reviews

Only review titles you've actually seen!
Talk about what you liked and disliked
Compare this title with other similar titles
Provide plenty of detail - at least 20 words
Space things out - use blank lines between paragraphs.
Be appropriate - no adult content, libellous statements or naughty words
Don't SPAM! No promoting of other websites or services
Don't plaguerise! Your submission must be your own original work
Don't talk about LOVEFiLM by name

Give it a title:

Tips for an eye catching title

Don't just repeat the name of the title you're reviewing
Don't summarise your entire review in one word - a minimum of 2 words please.
Give people a reason to read your full review - create a sense of intrigue or curiosity!

Keep me anonymous Keep me anonymous Contains spoiler? This review contains spoilers (or might spoil it for someone who hasn't seen it yet)

New users register here

Email address:
Password:
Preferred user name:
I agree to LOVEFiLMs Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
I'd like to receive film news and reviews as well as info about all the other good stuff LOVEFiLM offers

Already a member? Sign in here

Email address:
Password:Forgotten password?

By clicking Preview review you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Let's get social

For up-to-the-minute competitions, interviews, news and reviews - follow LOVEFiLM on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

Get a weekly dose of love film

Our weekly newsletter is packed full of news, reviews and opinions, and handily delivered straight to your inbox.

Competitions

Competitions and Offers

News, Reviews & Interviews

Review
The Descendants

With Golden Globes behind it, this comedy-drama starring George Clooney proves to be a rare treat in its simplicity. Read more
Review
Like Crazy

Unscripted and off the cuff, writer/director Drake Doremus' Like Crazy is a refreshingly honest take on long-distance love, and boy does it pull at the heart strings. Read more
Review
Martha Marcy May Marlene

A creepy Indie drama that delivers a star in the making; Elizabeth Olsen deserved an Oscar-nod for her spellbinding performance. Read more
Review
The Muppets

After a long absence, The Muppet are back with plenty of singing, dancing, and nostalgia. Read more