The Mothman Prophecies Review
by Deerboy (Deerboy67 AT cs DOT com)January 30th, 2002
The Mothman Prophesies: A Review
By: Deerboy
"The Mothman Prophesies" staring Richard Gere is obviously a low-budget movie.
That isn't a critique. In fact, film students should watch this movie to see what a good director can do with no money. The film avoids all the blood and guts visuals so typical of the modern day horror genre. Like the "Blair Witch Project," this movie's impact is almost completely psychological.
The director, Mark Pellington, cut costs in several ways, one of which involved
setting the film in the present, instead of in the 1960s when the incidents took place. Also, production costs didn't require expensive computer animated graphics to bring this mystifying creature to life. Instead the viewer gets only hints and suggestions of the ominous apparition. Pellington only shows quick sequences involving the Mothman, leaving the viewer to think the actual sightings lasted only an instant. In fact, some of the reported sightings lasted for several minutes and transpired for over a year. The Mothman itself only appears about 4 times or so throughout the whole film and only for about a
second each time.
Despite the Mothman's near absence, however, one feels its presence throughout.
Strange sounds, mysterious phone calls, and a few eyewitness narratives testify to its activities, providing plenty of suspense. The director saves his money for the spectacular finale, bringing to full screen the tragedy and horror of an incident that occurred over 30 years ago.
The Mothman Prophesies also proves the old cliché that truth really is stranger
than fiction. In fact, the movie, although quite eerie in its own right, actually leaves out some of the strangest of the reported incidents. Men-in-black don't show up to harass witnesses, and Pellington leaves out the dramatic UFO sightings, relegating them to a few minor hints here and there. After seeing this movie, however, the viewer will want to read John Keel's soon
to be re-issued book "The Mothman Prophesies," first published in 1976.
I use to work in a small town about an hour from Point Pleasant, West Virginia,
where the incidents in this film took place. I always wanted to drive down there for a day to check the place out, because I've heard all the stories associated with it. After seeing this film, I don't think I'll ever be doing that-at least, not without out a can of raid or a really big bug zapper.
Grade: B
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