Second Sight is also a exploration of the charming daily life of Donald and the people around him. The term "community" is, perhaps, no better suited than to the area where Donald lives. Everyone knows everybody, everyone interacts with everybody, and to see such things as the meticulous nature of how Donald likes his tea or him getting a haircut on a chair in front of a building instead of inside it is strangely captivating. And the film welcomes you with open arms into this close-knit world of community and tradition.
The backdrop to Donald's journey, which is sometimes given focus for lengths of time throughout, is the gorgeous Scottish landscape of lochs and the highlands. Director Alison McAlpine (making an impressive debut) clearly has a love for the country and the beauties it often has to offer and contrasting the wide open, stunning views with such an intimate story and charming leading man was a brilliant choice.
The aspect of the film which lays out conversations and claims of ghostly visions are concisely shown and put across with conviction by the various storytellers. Even if we can step back and shake our heads in disbelief at the idea of ghosts, it doesn't matter - it's not important that we believe it but that these people do. At least for its 50 minute runtime we can immerse ourselves in the tales we might not give the time of day normally.
Second Sight is beautifully told tale of many things, from the claims of ghostly visions down to the intimate daily routine of an old charmer who would make a routine trip to the shop a fascinating watch. Decorated with beautiful, elegant landscapes and peppered with the interesting characters that Donald comes across, this is a gloriously encapsulating motion picture told with admiration and love for the place in which it's set.
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Article comments
1 - Aaron
I thoroughly enjoyed covering Sundance for this site. How long does the Glasgow Film Festival go? What's the lineup of films?
2 - Ross Miller
Hey Aaron,
It starts on the 12th of February and finishes on the 22nd. Here's the official website where you can find all the info about all the films playing - www.glasgowfilmfestival.org.uk
Are you from Scotland?
3 - Aaron
No I'm from Utah. I was just wondering if there's any Sundance films that were going to there. Seems like there are:
Bronson
In The Loop
Grace
And a few others I don't remember.
I was wondering if they were getting Five Minutes of Heaven or An Education, and I was going to tell you those are must-sees, but they aren't. That's too bad, since they are 2 very well-done British films that were at Sundance.