The Plot
The film's lead character, John Clein (Gere), seems to have the perfect life. He's a successful reporter, he has a beautiful wife and they're about to buy their dream home. Just when you thought it was another corny love yarn, Clein's world falls apart. After a car crash caused by a strange winged shape, his wife, Mary (Messing), contracts a brain tumour.
 | | Behind you, behind you |
Before she dies, creepily she says to Clein, "you didn't see it did you?" The question should have been, how the hell did you miss it?
After she dies, Clein finds she's done strange sketches of winged creatures, this obviously freaks him out a bit.
The story then moves on two years. Clein is on his way to an interview, when his car breaks down, in a place called Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Inexplicably he'd travelled 400 miles to the town, in a relatively short space of time.
After meeting the Sheriff (Laura Linney) and some of the locals, Clein is drawn in by descriptions of a creature matching those of his wife's.
The creature, seems to be a harbinger of doom, warning the locals of future disasters.
With the help of the Sheriff and a reclusive Mothman expert (Bates), Clein sets out to ask the question what in the name of Nostrodamus is going on?
The Review
The Mothman Prophecies is a dark and sinister film. Dimly lit rooms and shadowy tones create a creepy atmosphere. The rain and the dark landscape of Point Pleasant, also adds an intense gloominess.  | | OK, who's your money on - Mothman or Spiderman? |
The great thing about the movie is that you never see the 'Mothman', we build a picture up through drawings and descriptions and weird lighting effects.
Thankfully the director resisted the temptation to dress a man in an elaborate Moth costume. Not seeing the creature adds to it's mystery.
The Mothman Prophecies does have elements of historical truth attached to it, but don't read into it before the film, it'll spoil the ending and your enjoyment.
It is a little long, as it approaches its finale, the twists and turns can become a little tedious. Also the Sheriff (Linney) in true Dana Scully style, starts rejecting all the weirdness, even though she's experienced it all first hand.
It really is a great film, and a little brainwork is always welcome. However, a gripe I have with 'seeing the future' films in general, is why are prophecies always told in riddles? Why can't a prophet for once, just be straight and not make it too hard for us?
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