capone666 The Public EyeBefore snapping the shot, the key to hip crime photography is ensuring the victim is wearing Ray-Bans.In the 1940s, however, fatalities had to be photographed wearing Bobby socks, like the ones in this crime-drama.Known for his inexplicable ability to be at a crime scene minutes after occurring, photographer Bernzy (Joe Pesci) makes his scratch selling snaps to the rags.One day a bar owner (Barbara Hershey) who claims she is being strong-armed by gangsters approaches Bernzy to find someone.Blinded by his infatuation with her, he agrees.But when that someone turns up dead, Bernzy becomes the prime suspect.Inspired by a real-life crime photography known for his prescient instinct, The Public Eye is a gritty film crime-noir with sharp dialogue, shadowy backdrops, and a suspenseful script.Incidentally, 1940s crime photographers make the worst fugitives since they always leave a trail of used flash bulbs in their wake.(Green Light)vidiotreviews.blogspot.ca

dmc8301 This movie is a character study, not an action movie. If you want buildings blowing up go somewhere else. Pesci is brilliant as Leon Bernstein, an independent New York photographer in the early 1940's. Jerry Adler, Jared Harris, and Stanley Tucci are excellent in small supporting roles. Also look for Richard Schiff, from the West Wing, as a competing photo hound. Barbara Hershey never looked better as the recently widowed owner of a dinner club who is being pushed out by the mob.Much of the story you can read elsewhere. Briefly, Pesci has dreams of getting his book of photographs published. Hershey needs help and thinks Pesci can provide it. He falls for her and gets more involved than he should. Is it his love for her, or his love of his art? Hershey gains an appreciation for Pesci's devotion to his craft, a devotion she found lacking in her self...but perhaps she really does have that devotion to something. It all plays out here in a nice, overlooked, noir tale that was beautifully filmed. Still not available on DVD. I would love to hear Pesci and Hershey do a commentary on this film. An overlooked gem.

eolas_pellor Joe Pesci plays the role of Leon "The Great Bernzini" Bernstein with accomplishment, as a kind of grubby, middle-aged everyman. Barbara Hershey, 44 when she made this movie, makes the screen sizzle by her mere presence as Kay Levitz. Pesci probably should have gotten an Oscar nomination for this performance, which is understated, sincere, and totally convincing. Some of the bit actors turn in good, solid performances with only a line or two.The movie itself is heavy handed in spots, but director Franklin has written a number of movies and has a good ear for dialog. The mood of the piece is beautifully created and handled; camera work, lighting and music creating a real experience. The use of black and white sequences and inter-cutting of still photography is wonderfully handled. Maybe only a photographer can really appreciate the way Bernzini looks at the world as a photograph waiting to happen. People who are not willing to surrender to the experience of a movie will have less of a reaction to it.The story is classic film noir, and more remarkable for being based on true events; blending together the great photographer Weegee (many of his photographs are actually used in the movie) and a gas-coupon scandal from the early days of American involvement in WWII. But, having said that, one misses the haunting quality this film conveys.

sg60 I first saw The Public Eye about ten years ago knowing nothing about it in advance. This movie has really stayed with me over the years. It's very rich in atmosphere and I really bought into the characters. The whole cast was strong and the writing was very good. I read one review that complained that the romance wasn't believable. On the surface that might be understandable but the quality of the acting and the writing completely erased the issue for me. The 1940's setting was portrayed very effectively and the music added so much to the story. The scene with Kay Levitz going through Bernzini's photo album was very moving and captured the whole story in a nutshell for me. I strongly recommend this forgotten gem.