Next Viewing:
March 10; 6:30 PM
California Theatre
March 11 12:30 PM
California Theatre

“The Sensation of Sight” is a delightfully smart independent faire that touches the soul on many levels. In a “Pay It Forward” sort of way, those fortunate enough to meet Finn, the gentle English teacher turned encyclopedia salesman, are enriched and elevated. David Strathairn is brilliant as Finn and offers a poignant portrayal of a man quietly seeking meaning to his life after a mind numbing tragedy. The tale is carried thoughtfully forward with intellect, poetry, and pithy insight.
As Finn, the surrounding folk struggle to cope with their own search for meaning. Even in the middle of his own pain Finn provides an inner strength and dignity, solace and encouragement along the way. Finn was every student’s favorite teacher. He engaged their minds until they wanted to know. And we want to know.
Flash backs show a time of joy and passion in his life, no longer evidenced. Finn holds himself responsibility for the death of a student feeling that just one word, the right word, could have made a difference in his life. His grieving and coping is now through the door to door selling of knowledge.
“The Sensation of Sight” is from the mind of first time writer/director Aaron Wiederspahn, and displays a maturity of film making and story telling that usually comes with experience. The ensemble is solid, the dialog punctuated with intelligence and hard won wisdom, and the audience is led to a place where they can possibly deal with their struggles.
Viewing this film you can walk away touched by feelings, motivated toward compassion, engaged to face fears…a tall order, but well within range of this film. The prodution was filmmed in 18 days, in Indie fashion. While stricken with the typical Indie nuance of long pauses for thought and reflection, “The Sensation of Sight” carries tremendous audience appeal. Go see this warm fuzzy charmer.