The Mothman Prophecies *** (2002, Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Will Patton, Alan Bates, Debra Messing) – Classic Movie Review 853

Beware The Mothman! – a blinding vision with glaring red eyes who warns of disasters.

Richard Gere stars as reporter John Klein, whose wife Mary (Debra Messing) sees The Mothman just before a fatal car crash. Two years later, Gere arrives in the eerie small town of Point Pleasant, Ohio, where people know him, but he has never been there before, and the locals prophesy disaster.

Director Mark Pellington’s 2001 film is fascinating, if a bit patchy, and the pacing is not especially good. But Gere is in top gear with his intense performance and this sinister X-Files style movie builds tensely to a brilliant 20-minute finale. And that is a triumph of special effects.

Laura Linney is fine as Connie Mills, the helpful local cop who takes a shine to Gere, Will Patton’s suitably deranged as a troubled spirit, and so is Alan Bates as an academic who has ruined his life by heeding the signs.

Richard Hatem’s intelligent screenplay is based on the novel by John A Keel.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Film Review 853 derekwinnert.com