At First Sight (1999)

32% of critics liked it
(37 reviews)
47% of users liked it
(19,145 ratings)

New York architect Amy Benic (Mira Sorvino) meets blind masseur Virgil Adamson (Val Kilmer) and falls in love. As she learns his lifelong blindness may be curable through experimental surgery, she convinces him to undergo the operation. Virgil then learns vision may not quite be what he expected. At… More New York architect Amy Benic (Mira Sorvino) meets blind masseur Virgil Adamson (Val Kilmer) and falls in love. As she learns his lifelong blindness may be curable through experimental surgery, she convinces him to undergo the operation. Virgil then learns vision may not quite be what he expected. At First Sight is directed by Irwin Winkler and also stars Bruce Davison, Nathan Lane, and Kelly McGillis. At First Sight is a romance adapted by writer Steve Levitt based upon the story To See and Not See from noted writer Dr. Oliver Sacks' collection, An Anthropologist on Mars. Dr. Sacks' work is also the basis for the Penny Marshall film Awakenings, starring Robert De Niro and Robin Williams and the opera The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat by Michael Morris with music by Michael Nyman. In his original story, Dr. Sacks tells of receiving a call in October 1991 from a retired minister in the Midwest. His daughter was about to marry a fifty-year old man, Virgil, who had been blind since early childhood. He had thick cataracts and been diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a disease which slowly eats away the retinas. As he could still make the distinction between light and dark, it was found he was misdiagnosed and simple cataract extraction could possibly restore his sight. While surgery was a success, Virgil, like his cinematic counterpart, found he would have to learn to use his vision much like an infant would, even though he was adept at relating to the world through touch. In his A New Theory of Vision, written in 1709, George Berkeley concluded there was no necessary connection between a tactile world and a sight world; a connection between them could be established only on the basis of experience. This same story was also adapted into the play Molly Sweeney by Brian Friel. ~ Ron Wells, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 2 hr. 8 min.
Directed By: Irwin Winkler
Written By: Steve Levitt, Oliver Sacks, Irwin Winkler, Rob Cowan
Genres: Drama, Romance

In Theaters: Jan 15, 1999 Wide
On DVD: Apr 27, 1999
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Betty Jo Tucker, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
Most love scenes seem forced in 'At First Sight,' and the background music manipulates emotions without a trace of restraint.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Kilmer registers little emotion aside from a silly grin he perpetually wears throughout the film.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
At first sight this film is terrible. At second sight, it's even worse.
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
At First Sight, at second sight, at third sight - it doesn't matter how many times you look. This movie never decides what it wants to be.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Though derived from a true story chronicled by Dr. Oliver Sacks in his 1996 book "An Anthropologist On Mars," "Sight" always seems closer to soap opera than case study.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Com o perdão do trocadilho, era melhor não ter visto este filme.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

An original film that raises some interesting questions about perception. I can't help but think that the love story side of it gets in the way somewhat when really all they needed to do was concentrate on the main storyline, which in the end isn't really explored thoroughly… More
An original film that raises some interesting questions about perception. I can't help but think that the love story side of it gets in the way somewhat when really all they needed to do was concentrate on the main storyline, which in the end isn't really explored thoroughly enough for my liking. A pretty decent film all the same.
Martin S

I have no idea why Val Kilmer tried to pretend he was Batman....when it's obvious this is what he should be doing. Great work by him. A sad story. And a great Steven Weber stealing the show....that guy is gold
Nani V

I really found myself to enjoy this little film. Very neat.
Candy R

Virgil is a blind masseur who meets Amy.
Jason S

Chick flick. Saw the ending coming a mile away.
Deb S

At first Sight is about seeing life as it is and being content with your situation despite the imperfections of it. A successful, beautiful, New York architect Mira Sorvino (as Amy Benic) gets a rubdown from hunky blind masseur Val Kilmer (as Virgil Adamson) who lost his eyesight… More
At first Sight is about seeing life as it is and being content with your situation despite the imperfections of it. A successful, beautiful, New York architect Mira Sorvino (as Amy Benic) gets a rubdown from hunky blind masseur Val Kilmer (as Virgil Adamson) who lost his eyesight at a young age and the two fall in love. Kilmer plays a very convincing blind man who's learnt to rely fully on his senses. The scene where it's about to rain is beautiful, his perception is intuitive. Kilmer undergoes treatment to recover his sight, thanks to conveniently placed doctor Bruce Davidson (as Charles Aaron). He "learns" to cope with seeing for the first time but it is very strange for him. Everyone that can see all their lives take many things for granted. Mia Sorvino and Val Kilmer give charming performances but the stand-out is for me Kelly McGillis. She portrays a generous sister who sacrificed her life to taking care of her blind brother.
Juli R

A trite romantic melodrama about a blind masseuse who regains his sight. Based on a true story.
Sarah P

It was a cheesy movie and I would have liked it if they would have explored further in depth about how seeing isn't all it seems when all you've known is being blind. Interesting, but not a great movie.
Lee K

Ho hum! thats how i describe this chick flick
Leo L

Absolutely love this film!