INSIGHT
(R)
MOVIE: ** (out of 5)
DVD EXPERIENCE: *1/2 (out of 5)
BY KEVIN CARR
In the world of direct-to-DVD releases, it’s interesting to watch the career trajectory of different actors. As much as “Insight” provides a story of identity confusion, it also displays a bizarre mix of these trajectories. On one hand, you’ve got Natalie Zea as the protagonist, whose career has been trying to climb higher with television roles in her last years as a potential hot property.
Crisscrossing Zea’s career in “Insight” is that of Sean Patrick Flanery who came on strong in the 90s, had some hits like “The Boondock Saints” but ultimately has spiraled into spending all his time on digital video discs and never in theaters. Riding right in the middle are actors like Adam Baldwin, who has a career but has and never will break into leading man status, as well as Christopher Lloyd, who was a big deal in the 80s but is now just collecting some paychecks.
All these career paths crossing are more interesting than the story behind “Insight.” It’s not terrible… just weak.
Zea stars as a nurse who witnesses the death of a patient. As she starts to dig into the death, she starts to learn some confusing things about herself and her own identity.
You can see where much of this film is going, and it’s not assembled with the smooth patience of some better direct-to-DVD films. Still, it’s not a completely waste of time. Running only 90 minutes, it doesn’t overstay its welcome. But as an R-rated thriller, it could have done better with some more R-rated content. Mind-bending thrillers are not as easy to make as they look, and “Insight” proves that.
The DVD comes with the trailer as well as a short behind-the-scenes featurette.