The Public Eye (1992)

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

This criminally underrated movie features a fascinating central character, an outstanding performance by Joe Pesci and a dark, moody recreation of 1940s New York that's absolutely stunning. Its story about the circumstances that lead to a man abandoning one of his most important principles and the high cost that he has to pay as a consequence of doing so, is full of danger, deceit and disappointment and contains many moments of humour and pathos that add immeasurably to the enjoyment of watching this totally gripping film.Leon "Bernzy" Bernstein (Joe Pesci) is a freelance photographer who inhabits the city's streets and clubs late at night in order to capture sensational pictures which he sells to the tabloid newspapers. Photos of gangsters, victims of violent crime and celebrities behaving badly are his speciality but much of his success is also attributable to his amazing ability to arrive at the scene of a crime, a suicide or a huge fire before anyone else and it's this talent that led to him becoming generally known as "The Great Bernzini".Despite Bernzy being uncouth and preoccupied with sleaze, he also has aspirations to achieve recognition for his work which he considers to be worthy of being published in book form. Unfortunately, the publishers he approaches don't see any merit in his material which they simply regard as being vulgar and distasteful. Bernzy's lifestyle and dedication to his work resulted in him living a very lonely life and on certain occasions he wistfully watches happy couples together showing their affection for each other.When Bernzy's work brings him into contact with a beautiful, wealthy widow called Kay Levitz (Barbara Hershey) who shows him some warmth and understanding and also seems to appreciate his work, he becomes putty in her hands and has no hesitation in agreeing to her request to investigate a gangster who approached her shortly after her husband's death and claimed that he owned part of her business. Bernzy's decision quickly leads to him becoming a murder suspect and confronting further dangers when he gets too closely involved in a gang war that's linked to a conspiracy which involves mobsters, politicians and a black market in gas rationing coupons.Joe Pesci is exceptionally good in showing the dedication and determination of his character as well as his desperate need for love and recognition. Bernzy had achieved great success in his career through being absolutely professional and enjoying good relations with both the police and the gangsters because he made a point of never taking sides but his deal with Kay changed things and suddenly put him in great danger."The Public Eye" is beautifully photographed, skilfully directed and features some great dialogue as well as a strong supporting performance by Barbara Hershey but it's ultimately Bernzy's character and Pesci's performance that make this film so memorable.

I have to credit art directors Bo Johnson and Dina Lipton. along with production designer Marcia Heidls on this one. If nothing else, "the Public Eye" looks really good. Joe Pesci is also well cast as the '40's photographer Leon Bernstein. But its downhill from there.Howard Franklin supposedly worked ten years to get this film made. I can see why it took such a long time. The film unfolds at a glacier-like pace. Franklin wrote two of the more forgettable Bill Murray vehicles and directed a third. Maybe he should have stuck to comedy, because he shows no flair for this noir type material and he's not helped by his cinematographer--odd to say about a film about a photographer.Barbara Hershey co-stars as Kay, the love interest, but she's not given a whole heck of a lot to do. This whole story needed some serious rethinking (maybe even making Pesci's character the sidekick of a much more typical noir tough guy who gets whacked) and a director who could really pick up the pace. As is, the Public Eye is pretty to look at, but not much else.

Joe Pesci plays the role of Leon "The Great Bernzini" Bernstein with accomplishment, as a kind of grubby, middle-aged everyman. Barbara Hershey, 44 when she made this movie, makes the screen sizzle by her mere presence as Kay Levitz. Pesci probably should have gotten an Oscar nomination for this performance, which is understated, sincere, and totally convincing. Some of the bit actors turn in good, solid performances with only a line or two.The movie itself is heavy handed in spots, but director Franklin has written a number of movies and has a good ear for dialog. The mood of the piece is beautifully created and handled; camera work, lighting and music creating a real experience. The use of black and white sequences and inter-cutting of still photography is wonderfully handled. Maybe only a photographer can really appreciate the way Bernzini looks at the world as a photograph waiting to happen. People who are not willing to surrender to the experience of a movie will have less of a reaction to it.The story is classic film noir, and more remarkable for being based on true events; blending together the great photographer Weegee (many of his photographs are actually used in the movie) and a gas-coupon scandal from the early days of American involvement in WWII. But, having said that, one misses the haunting quality this film conveys.

I stumbled across this film for the first time last night. I was immediately caught up by the 40's style back drops, especially in the initial club scene, and was reminded of every noir movie I've ever seen. At first I just watched to see what a terrible mess the modern cinema would make in modern styled noir film, it was late and I also detest Joe Pesci (whose foul mouth often detracts from his character) as a rule… but after a few minutes I was still watching.I read somewhere that Barbara Hershey looked like a clothes horse for classic 40's dresses, and in that, she did remind me of Veronica Lake, again in the noir style.In all it was a great attempt at capturing the feel of 40's Manhattan. The storyline flattens out in the middle and the end is a somewhat up/down affair but I still rate this film as a close runner behind L.A. Confidential. Its nice to see a well made and written movie that hasn't been torn apart to be more commercial. (8/10)