Many may think “DragonFly” will be another three-hour long Kevin Costner film that keeps on going, almost as long as the energizer bunny, but their expectations are wrong.
“DragonFly” is a movie thriller much like Harrison Ford’s “What Lies Beneath.” It’s a good movie to cuddle up with for a night of chills and spooks, but it definitely is not an Oscar-winning performance.
Like “What Lies Beneath,” the suspenseful parts of the movie are spectacular. The audience had their hands pasted to the arm rests of their chairs and their eyes were glued to the screen as they watched the movie unfold before them.
All kinds of tricks were used, from the ghost sightings in the “Sixth Sense” to the dreamlike interpretations in “Field of Dreams.”
Kevin Costner steps out of his traditional roles in the 140-minute movie. Unlike the drawn out, serious roles he played “Waterworld” and the “The Postman”, Costner plays Dr. Joe Darrow who believes that his wife is trying to contact him from the realms of the dead.
Susannah Thompson who plays Dr. Emily Darrow, Costner’s wife, dies in a bus accident while traveling with the Red Cross in the Brazil. Back in Chicago, Joe Darrow witnesses strange signs which makes him believe that his dead wife is trying to contact him.
Even though the movie is suspenseful, most can guess the ending halfway into the movie. The clues that are given throughout the movie are very obvious, it’s almost as if they’re calling out to the viewers, “I’m a clue, look right at me.”
It is too bad that the director didn’t take lessons from “The Sixth Sense’s” M. Night Shyamalan on how to distribute hints throughout the movie without making it noticeable to the viewers. The easy-solving plot line makes for a disappointing ending.
Costner’s performance was definitely not at its best. It’s been 11 years since he swept the Oscars with “Dances with Wolves,” and the 2003 Oscars should be added to that list.
However, his acting is improving. More movie-goers will probably enjoy this movie then his last movie, “Thirteen Days.”
Kathy Bates once again shows her range of acting from the snooty elitist in “Titanic” to Darrow’s overcaring neighbor. Her acting helps to add some taste to the movie.
