I remember when this film was first released there was a lot of marketing hype about how this was " based on a true story " , but what wasn`t pointed out was how this " true story " took place in the 1960s and for some inexplicable reason the producers updated it to the year 2000 or there abouts to the detriment of the story . It may have been difficult enough to believe THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES was a " true story " if it had remained set in the 60s but by placing it at the turn of the millenuim it`s impossible to take seriously . For example after an incident a character is seen calling 911 on a mobile phone something that couldn`t have possibly happened in the 1960s . It`s a bit like SCINDLER`S LIST when you know a scene couldn`t have happened like that and find yourself questioning how much else has been invented
Despite this serious criticism I did like THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES . Okay so I didn`t believe this was a true story but there`s still much to admire . Director Mark Pellington brings a bleak atmosphere to the movie and there`s a couple of scenes that made me jump out of my seat . The cast are fairly good but Gere is inconsistent . Let`s face it , he`s a movie star because of his looks not because he has an abundance of thespian talent , but I`ll give him credit for his performance opposite Debra Messing at the start of the film which both poignant and moving .
So a thumbs up from me because it`s a haunting supernatural drama , even though I take the true story with a big pinch of salt
Despite this serious criticism I did like THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES . Okay so I didn`t believe this was a true story but there`s still much to admire . Director Mark Pellington brings a bleak atmosphere to the movie and there`s a couple of scenes that made me jump out of my seat . The cast are fairly good but Gere is inconsistent . Let`s face it , he`s a movie star because of his looks not because he has an abundance of thespian talent , but I`ll give him credit for his performance opposite Debra Messing at the start of the film which both poignant and moving .
So a thumbs up from me because it`s a haunting supernatural drama , even though I take the true story with a big pinch of salt