Directed by : Scott Cooper

At times, I believe the dead haunt us because we love them too little. We forget them, you see. We don't mean to, but we do.

Christian Bale and Harry Melling in 'The Pale Blue Eye'

Spoilers ahead... 


Based on the novel by Louis Bayard, the story is set in 1830, on the banks of Hudson River, Augustus Landor (Christian Bale), a famous veteran detective has been asked to come to the United States Military Academy in West Point and do investigation over the death of a cadet found hanging with body mutilated. Unable to get to the root of the cause of murder, Mr Landor soon finds a partner in form of another cadet, a very talkative Edgar Allan Poe (Harry Melling). They together try to find the culprit and stop the count of dead cadets that was increasing. 

Technically there's lot to like, the whole gothic whodunit drama productive design. works very well, and so does the cinematography showing off snow-clad New York location that is gorgeous to watch. Also, the atmospheric eerie feel adds up another layer, love the way the first scene of the film pans out. If only the narration of the story was as engaging, this would had been a great film. 

The most problematic part was the 2nd act, it meanders on and never focusses on the Marquis family - Dr Daniel Marquis (Toby Jones), his wife Mrs Julia Marquis (Gillian Anderson), daughter Lea Marquis (Lucy Boynton) and a son Cadet Artemus Marquis (Harry Lawtey). Due to that, the final act when the twist is revealed never really hits you hard as it feels so rushed. Even there was a case of making Edgar's character more doubtful to be the one involved in some evil act. Gillian Anderson specially is underutilised. And all scenes of Patsy (Charlotte Gainsbourg) felt boring who plays a sort of love interest for Landor. 

Another way the film may have worked is if it was from start a revenge movie and on the way Landor finds out about some satanic practices that makes him to try and get involved in that case. Even could had explored the idea of 'the military academy' responsible for what's happening to cadets as shown in the Landor's outburst scene.

Christian Bale as expected is great to watch, and delivers an enjoyable performance. His look did remind me a lot of The Prestige. However, the very talkative Harry Melling who initially felt irritating slowly catches up on you, and he's the actual reason to stay invested in the film despite being a supporting actor. I specially enjoyed whenever he would tell what his dead mother told him in his sleep. Also, I liked Superintendent Thayer (Timothy Spall), Captain Hitchcock (Simon McBurney) and Toby Jones in whatever little screen-time they all get.

Overall, The Pale Blue Eye is underwhelming, and chances are you wouldn't want to give it a second viewing to track the doings of Landor with his purpose known now. 


My Rating : 5.5/10