The Mothman Prophecies

Review by Peggy Sugarman

Run time: 1 Hour, 53 minutes
Directed by: Mark Pellington
Starring: Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Will Patton, Debra Messing
Based on the book by John Keel

I caught this movie in on HBO while fighting a bad case of the flu that left me little energy for anything other than sleeping and coughing. This one did succeed, however, kept me awake through my fevered haze. The original attraction for flipping to this channel was the mere fact that Richard Gere was starring in it, and I’ll generally enjoy anything that allows me to wallow in his sexy visage and immense talent. However, I did come to the movie uninformed about the Mothman and so, as a good journalist wanna-be, I have tried to educate myself about the history that spawned the speculations on which this movie is based.

What an experience. I had no idea that the movie had its roots in the real-life events in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. There are Mothman web-sites, scary versions of sightings of this mythical creature and a definite following by the lovers of The X-files. I have found out enough to know that I don’t want to know any more. However, if you are a fan of creepy tales, you will probably like this movie and you too can spend hours tracking down the many tales and speculations of the Mothman phenomena.

Richare Gere plays Washington Post reporter John Klein who becomes caught in a web of grief and suspense after his wife dies of a rare brain tumor. Prior to her death, she had experienced a startling and scary UFO-type vision, the remnants of which were depicted in drawing after messy drawing of a dark, winged insect with red eyes. “She saw angels”, said the hospital staff aide, pointing to the tablet.

Several years later, John is still unable to cope with losing his wife and, dodging a blind date, decides to escape by driving to interview someone when his car breaks down in the middle of the night. He finds himself on the wrong end of a shotgun with a crazy, seemingly deluded man named Gordon Smallwood (Will Patton) who is accusing him of showing up at his house for the third night in a row. Saved by the local law enforcement officer Connie Parker (Laura Linney) who calmly talks Gordon into loosening his shakey grip on his weapon, she takes John into a town that is 400 miles off course from his destination: Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Connie tells him that there have been unusual things happening and reassures him that Gordon is a longtime resident from whom there has been no prior trouble.

Being a good reporter, John tries to figure out the who, what and why’s of the mystery. He befriends Gordon and finds out that the same shadowy creature of his wife’s drawings have been drawn by others; sightings this creature abound in this area from residents who, afraid of being thought crazy, are reluctant to talk. The creature is always described as very tall, dark, winged with red eyes. Those who have seen him end up with red burns about their eyes.

The Mothman creature is able to communicate and a series of communications to Gordon and John begin. John and Gordon contrive to have the calls recorded but with analysis, the frequency readings of the voice are found to be definitely non-human. The voice, however, is able to be understood and prophesies disasters to their chosen listener. Gordon becomes convinced that the creature, now with the name Indrid Cole, is real. The foretold disasters come true.

As Gordon dissolves into a mental breakdown, chillingly portrayed by Will Patton, John continues to try to solve the mystery. He seeks out the tales of the Mothman and tracks down the author of a book on these paranormal sightings. Dr. Leek initially rebuffs his inquiries but the reporter is persistent.

Still grieving for his wife, we see the chemistry between John and Connie growing but the movie fortunately doesn’t try to add a real romance, which would undoubtedly interfere with the plot. Rather, intimacy takes the form of sharing some deeply felt thoughts and feelings. Connie’s are grounded and reassuring with the exception of an eerie dream that she shares with John that again foretells of the climatic and real-life disaster at Silver Bridge.

We come to the end of this movie with some chilling questions that we can ask of ourselves, just as John does. Can an individual’s knowledge of an upcoming disaster help him or her change the course of it? Is it always important to know who is on the other end of the phone? Or can we go on with the knowledge of what we don’t know and be happy, as Dr. Leek agely suggests. “We aren’t meant to understand.”

In the end, I’m not sure I really liked this movie despite being riveted to it in my feverish and aching state. Though the suspense is good, it’s certainly not one I would willingly see again despite its strong points.

Peggy Sugarman has spent 25 years working in California's workers' compensation system, having served 8 years as the Chief Deputy Director of the state's regulatory agency. She holds a Master's degree in Counseling and is currently consulting for the California Applicants' Attorneys Association -- an organization of attorneys who represent workers and fights for legislation to help workers who are injured on the job. She occasionally writes for on-line publications and is working on her first novel. She and her husband and two daughters reside in Oakland, California.

You can email Peggy with movies you’d like to see reviewed at Psugarman@earthlink.net