The Pale Blue Eye

The Pale Blue Eye falls flat in the conventionality of its final, fiery conclusion.

I found the mystery itself a bit dull, but I liked the setting of this and the character Christian Bale is playing.

It’s made by a good director, has a fine cast, a compelling plot and an intriguing historical link to Poe’s fascination with death. Such elements make it worth watching, even if it does become predictable and silly by the end.

It’s a fine Hollywood film. But Poe’s mysteries aren’t so easy to pin down.

It’s a film that, on an aesthetic level, casts an eerie spell. Shame about its story, though.

A serious disappointment.

It tells a tale that would fit right into a lineup of stories from Poe himself.

A superficial story that takes one too many creative liberties.

Even with the strong performances of Melling, Bale, and the rest of the supporting cast, the mystery doesn’t provide a satisfying resolution despite the complex investigation that centres on the movie.

Led by Melling, there are strong performances throughout, including a giallo-level turn by Gillian Anderson as Julia Marquis, and the always reliable Robert Duvall as Jean-Pepe, an occult scholar.