Director:
Mennan Yapo

Cast:
Sandra Bullock
Julian McMahon
Nia Long
Amber Valletta

Official URL:

http://www.sonypicturescom/movies/premonition

Country: USA
Rating: PG-13
Studio Name: Sony Pictures
Running Time: 2 hr 0 mins
Release Date: March 16, 2007

Critics's Rating:
(2 out of 4 Reels) 

March 16, 2007

By Veronica Mixon

When Sandra Bullock became a big star movie actress after the 1994 release of Speed, I had high hopes for her everyday woman look and persona because it was so different from the blonde beauties that dominate the fantasies of Hollywood filmmakers. Bullock did surprisingly wonderful acting in A Time to Kill (1996) as a law student caught up in the midst of a dangerous racial trial and as the jaded lonely, angry wife of the Los Angeles D.A. who gets mugged one lovely evening in Crash. And, she was even better in her zany romantic comedies like the 2000 hit, Confidentialy Yours. She’s a great comic actress. But, alas, with the exception of 1995 thiller, The Net, Sandra Bullock has not faired very well when she’s the star of the movie.

In her latest film Premonition, Linda Hanson (Bullock) seems to have the ideal suburban life. She has a loving husband, Jim (Julian McMahon) and two adorable daughters. Then, one day, the local sheriff appears at her doorstep and tells her that Jim has been killed in an traffic accident. Linda is devastated. Her mother (Kate Nelligan) and best friend, Annie (Nia Long) rally around her but everything seems to stop in time for her. Then, to her surprise, Linda awakes the next day, and Jim is alive, taking a shower and preparing to head out for work. Linda doesn’t understand what is happening. She grasps onto him in a way that she has in years and he’s surprised at the tender affection. Linda is forced to examine her relationship with her husband and her own strange behavior because on the next day, Jim is gone, her mother and friends are preparing for the funeral. Furthermore, one of her daughters has been injured and there are other creepy signs of impending doom. Also, she discovers the possibility of infidelity with a co-worker. As each day follows one another, Linda deals with Jim’s death or life with him knowing that he will die soon. She can’t seem to find answers either from her priest or the local shrink (Peter Stormare in one of his most gentle, san performances). What is going on and can Linda possibly prevent Jim’s death?

Premonition is a by-the-book tricky time travel suspense tale and unfortunately, there are no real surprises. In fact, this is really a messy domestic drama with a sad, creepy conclusion. The ending is a cheap shot to married love. Julian McMahon, who is best known for his TV show, 'Nip/Tuck', is given little to do except support an emotional wacky Bullock. Unfortunately, handsome television leading men, who are stars in their own right, are cast opposite popular movie actresses and then over utilized. Remember Patrick 'Grey's Anatomy' Dempsey in Freedom Writer opposite Hilary Swank? Anyway, Sandra needs to search for better big screen material or stick to producing TV sitcoms.

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