The Sensation of Sight (2006)

50% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
59% of users liked it
(408 ratings)

First-time American writer director Aaron Wiederspahn's moody drama The Sensation of Sight concerns Finn, a middle-aged English teacher caught up in the unrelenting throes of a mid-life crisis. Driven by the guilt associated with a tragic incident for which he considers himself responsible, he drops… More First-time American writer director Aaron Wiederspahn's moody drama The Sensation of Sight concerns Finn, a middle-aged English teacher caught up in the unrelenting throes of a mid-life crisis. Driven by the guilt associated with a tragic incident for which he considers himself responsible, he drops out of his daily life and routine, and takes to selling encyclopedias. The past continues to haunt him, however, filling his days with irrepressible anxiety, robbing his nights of sleep, and driving him inexorably toward a full self-awakening. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 14 min.
Directed By: Aaron J. Wiederspahn
Written By: Aaron J. Wiederspahn
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Aug 8, 2008 Wide
On DVD: Sep 2, 2008
Studio: Monterey Media

Critic Reviews

Ruth McCann, Village Voice
Itâ(TM)s moving, occasionally charming, and universally well-acted...But with its pretensions to profundity...the film, like its hero, can get stuck inside its own head.
V.A. Musetto, New York Post
At 134 angst-filled minutes, The Sensation of Sight might tax your patience, but there are rewards for the persistent.
Nathan Lee, New York Times
The really oppressive thing here is the filmmaking itself.
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
[I]t's a terrible pity that this ensemble drama about people hurting and coping in small-town America is so relentlessly dull...
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
David Strathairn's Finn is the nearly broken, perplexed, downcast, and also oddly humorous Chaplinesque figure, whose own transformative experienced 'sensation of sight' imparts a tentative metaphorical healing vision of a restored life.
Adam Clement, Boxoffice Magazine
The impression that remains after the credits roll, however, is of exemplary American filmmaking, whose direction and superb performances make up for a solemn script.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Mark A

The Sensation of Sight was a moody film that reminded this viewer of a really good lasagna. Several layers of ingredients come together in a complex melding that yields one delicious dish! David Strathairn plays Finn, the English teacher who seems to have retired from his life in… More
The Sensation of Sight was a moody film that reminded this viewer of a really good lasagna. Several layers of ingredients come together in a complex melding that yields one delicious dish! David Strathairn plays Finn, the English teacher who seems to have retired from his life in order to make sense of what was a senseless tragedy because of the enormous guilt he carries around. Revolving around him is a marvelous cast of characters who are all struggling with finding a vital connection with other damaged souls. The way the story unfolds kept the viewer engaged, even when some of the characters proved to be quite annoying. Of special note, Elisabeth Waterston (daughter of Sam) is terrific as the young woman caught between her stubborn, grieving father and her ne'r-do-well brother and who tries to bridge the gap between them with little success. Jane Adams brings such raw emotional fragility to her character that one just aches for her. Even the two young kids who are integral to the story prove to be equal to their task. The location scenery, in and around Peterborough, NH lend an authenticity to the film, and provide a lovely backdrop to the story. But ultimately, it is the story, its utter simplicity and genuine exploration of complex human emotions that will keep the viewer engaged. First time writer-director, Aaron Wiederspahn, has crafted one beautiful film with real people showing real emotions and dealing with real issues of life and death and guilt.