Podcast Summary: "How Did This Get Made?" – Episode: Eye of the Beholder (w/ Joe Mandy)

Introduction

In this episode of "How Did This Get Made?", hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas delve into the convoluted world of the film Eye of the Beholder. Joined by special guest Joe Mandy, the trio embarks on an exhaustive and often bewildered analysis of what they consider one of the most perplexing movies ever made. Released on November 1, 2024, this episode aims to unravel the intricacies and shortcomings of the film, providing listeners with a comprehensive breakdown.

Overview of "Eye of the Beholder"

Eye of the Beholder stars Ewan McGregor as a British MI6 agent obsessed with Ashley Judd's character, who is depicted as a serial killer. The movie attempts to blend elements of neo-noir and psychological thriller but falls short in delivering a coherent and engaging narrative.

Detailed Scene Breakdown

The discussion begins with the hosts expressing their initial confusion upon watching the film:

• Paul Scheer [02:08]: "I didn't know this movie existed until Avril found it for us on this podcast."

• Jason Mantzoukas [03:28]: "It feels like a prank on us. It feels like a series of scenes from other movies cobbled together into, like, an art piece."

The hosts dissect various scenes, highlighting inconsistencies and illogical plot developments:

• Scene of the Tarp Incident:

  • Jason Mantzoukas [06:00]: "A rational person would think the movie is just called 'Of the Beholder.' Just a zoom in on an eye. Very weird."
  • Paul Scheer [08:14]: "This is a lesson I learned in Lethal Weapon 2. When you walk into an office and there's tarp on the floor and you've just done a bad job, do not go into that office."

• Surveillance Technology:

  • Jason Mantzoukas [10:01]: "The movie keeps giving me teases of a world that is not unlike the John Wick world."
  • Paul Scheer [10:44]: "Why does he need to set up such an elaborate camera system whenever he's surveilling anyone?"

Character Analysis

The hosts delve into the motivations and character development (or lack thereof) of the protagonists:

• Ewan McGregor's Character:

  • Jason Mantzoukas [15:32]: "This guy should be played by Tim Blake Nelson or Paul Giamatti. He's terrible at following her."
  • Paul Scheer [21:47]: "She is a woman trying to survive... trying to handle men."

• Ashley Judd's Character:

  • June Diane Raphael [22:03]: "She's just kind of picky. And then she found the Love of..."
  • Jason Mantzoukas [26:11]: "She's become a trad wife. She has a thriving business."

Themes and Style

The episode critically examines the film's thematic elements and stylistic choices:

• Use of Astrology:

  • Paul Scheer [52:32]: "Because she's a Pisces. Which she talks about constantly."
  • Joe Mandy [54:09]: "The horoscope is saying things like, go as far as you can."

• Technological Fear:

  • Joe Mandy [60:25]: "There's a narrative under here somewhere about, yes, tech, the fear of technology."
  • Jason Mantzoukas [61:25]: "It feels like it's trying to be like the enemy of the state."

The hosts argue that the film attempts to incorporate complex themes without providing sufficient narrative support, resulting in a disjointed viewing experience.

Reception and Reviews

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the polarized reception of the film, particularly focusing on Amazon user reviews:

• Paul Scheer [64:53]: "There's no plot. There's nothing to uncover."

• Reading Positive Reviews:

  • Paul Scheer [64:58]: "One review titled 'Couldn't Stop Watching' praises the film as 'quirky, atmospheric, and surreal' but the hosts highlight the disparity between user reviews and their own critical assessment.

• Mocking Overly Positive Reviews:

  • Paul Scheer [65:05]: "What’s not to like? One of my top five."
  • Jason Mantzoukas [66:06]: "She has been in so many better movies. ... the ones we've already mentioned are better than this."

The hosts express skepticism over the high ratings the film receives from certain viewers, attributing them to possible misunderstandings of the film's intent or narrative structure.

Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts consolidate their bewilderment and frustration with Eye of the Beholder:

• Jason Mantzoukas [77:31]: "I wouldn’t recommend this film. There are so many more movies in this space starring Ashley Judd that are better."

• Paul Scheer [78:18]: "If you don’t watch it, I’m surprised remembering things like astrology in this movie are way more fun to hear about than to spend the hour and 40 minutes watching it."

The consensus among the hosts is clear: Eye of the Beholder fails to deliver a satisfying or coherent film experience, burdened by its convoluted plot, inconsistent character motivations, and overreliance on stylistic gimmicks without substantive narrative support.

Conclusion

This episode of "How Did This Get Made?" serves as a thorough critique of Eye of the Beholder, highlighting the film's numerous flaws and perplexing elements. Through lively discussion and candid opinions, the hosts provide listeners with a detailed examination of why this movie struggles to resonate, ensuring that fans of bad movies have one less film to spend their time on.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Mantzoukas [03:28]: "It feels like a prank on us."
• Paul Scheer [10:44]: "Why does he need to set up such an elaborate camera system whenever he's surveilling anyone?"
• Jason Mantzoukas [15:32]: "This guy should be played by Tim Blake Nelson or Paul Giamatti. He's terrible at following her."
• Paul Scheer [21:47]: "She is a woman trying to survive... trying to handle men."
• Paul Scheer [64:53]: "There's no plot. There's nothing to uncover."
• Jason Mantzoukas [66:06]: "She has been in so many better movies."
• Paul Scheer [78:18]: "If you don’t watch it, I’m surprised remembering things like astrology in this movie are way more fun to hear about than to spend the hour and 40 minutes watching it."

Final Note

For those intrigued by the hosts' perspectives or seeking further analysis, future episodes promise continued explorations into similarly baffling films, ensuring that listeners can avoid potential cinematic disappointments with expert guidance.