The Bottom Line
In the convoluted thriller (and I use that term loosely) Premonition, directed by Mennan Yapo and written by Bill Kelly, Bullock looks like she’s suffering from a migraine the entire film. I’m sure after sitting through an hour and a half of this mind-numbingly tedious production, audiences will truly empathize with her.
Pros
- The acting's not half bad
Cons
- I foresee a lot of ticked off Sandra Bullock fans
- Absolutely ridiculous plot leaves at least half the dots unconnected
- The score is overwhelming
- If smoking's not integral to the plot, then why show Bullock doing it?
Description
- Starring Sandra Bullock, Julian McMahon, Nia Long, Peter Stormare, and Amber Valletta
- Filmed in Louisiana
- PG-13 for some violent content, disturbing images, thematic material and brief language
- Theatrical Release Date: March 16, 2007
Guide Review - Premonition Movie Review
The StoryLinda Hanson (Bullock) goes through her usual morning tasks of preparing her girls for school and going for a jog and then...cue the 'something dramatic is about to happen' music...there's a knock on her door. A policeman, backed by more ominous music, tells her that her husband (Julian McMahon in an underutilized role) died in a car accident. She receives this news and reacts in a way just about any person would who learned his or her spouse is dead.
Up to this point in the story things are flowing along fairly normally. Too bad that can't be said of the remainder of the film. The next hour is filled with Linda alternately believing her husband's dead or she's going crazy or it's all a bad dream and she's actually starring in an enjoyable romantic comedy full of laughter and silly dialogue (we can wish this for Bullock, can't we?).
To Sum It Up
There's a lot of cheating going on in Premonition and I'm not talking about the husband's possible infidelity. The Memento-ish flow of Premonition will have your head spinning and not in a good way. At least in Memento things eventually tied together and made sense. Don't expect that of Premonition and don't expect a big payoff if you make it through to the end.
Premonition is a Lake House knock-off without Keanu Reeves, a cute dog, or even an iota of logic. If you're into smartly made movies, avoid Premonition at all costs.
Grade: D
