You know when you’re eagerly waiting for something to hit the mark and it almost does, but then it just… doesn’t? That’s how many felt watching Marc Forster’s All I See Is You. It’s like biting into a sandwich with all the right ingredients but somehow still ending up with a bland bite.
The film, starring Blake Lively and Jason Clarke, seemed like it had all the ingredients for success. A compelling story about a woman’s journey through her evolving independence after regaining her sight, with an award-winning actor by her side? It should’ve been an emotional ride. But instead, it ended up being a bit of a snooze fest.
Despite its intriguing premise, All I See Is You earned a meager $678K at the box office against a $30 million production budget. A classic case of ‘big ideas, small execution’!
The story of Blake Lively’s All I See Is You could have been something bigger
The premise of All I See Is You sounds like it has award-winning potential. We follow Gina, played by Blake Lively, who regains partial sight after an accident and faces the emotional upheaval it causes in her marriage to James, played by Jason Clarke. The tension between them is palpable, as James struggles to accept the new, independent Gina.
It’s a fresh take on a psychological drama, one that could have dived deep into the complexity of relationships when one partner changes. However, the film’s execution was as flat as a pancake on a cold morning.
So, what went wrong? Despite a story that had potential and a solid cast, All I See Is You failed to make the impact it should have. The film’s slow pacing and overly stylized direction by Marc Forster left viewers feeling like they were stuck in a fog. The premise itself — a woman grappling with newfound independence after her blindness — is a gold mine for emotional and psychological exploration.
There’s an emotional distance that feels like a disconnect from the audience, leaving you with more of an intellectual understanding of her character’s arc than a personal connection. Jason Clarke, on the other hand, does his best to bring depth to his character, but the narrative doesn’t do him justice.
Did it perform poorly at the box office?
This movie made just $678K globally (see Box Office Mojo). We mean, come on. That’s pocket change when you’re talking about a movie that cost $30 million to make. It’s no wonder the film tanked — it had a great premise, some serious star power, and a whole lot of style. But style alone can’t carry a film, especially when the heart of the story doesn’t connect with the audience.
Let’s talk about Jason Clarke for a moment, because this man’s talent deserves more than this film gave him. Clarke is one of those actors who can slip into a role and make it feel like it was made just for him. Whether he’s playing the intense CIA operative in Zero Dark Thirty or the tragic figure in Mudbound, Clarke knows how to make an impression.
His performances in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Everest, and First Man show he can not only hold his own in high-octane action flicks but also bring depth to complex characters. Clarke has earned well-deserved recognition, winning the Gotham Award for Ensemble Performance in Mudbound and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Ensemble, and his work in Zero Dark Thirty earned him nominations from both the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Village Voice Film Poll.
Despite stellar actors like Blake Lively and Jason Clarke, the execution never quite hit the mark, and the result was All I See Is You, which failed to connect with its audience both emotionally and financially.
All I See Is You can be rented on Apple TV.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
