Dragonfly (2002)

Dragonfly kept me on the edge of my seat in the theatre and blew me away at the end. It still does so every time I watch it -- the ending viscerally moves my world. I don't understand the cynics who blow off this movie as nothing special (or worse). Maybe you need to have truly loved someone, or to have children, or to have lost someone dearly beloved to you, or to fear such a potential loss, or to have a shred of humanity in your heart. No, the movie is not perfect; one awkward moment for me is the young resuscitant's bugged-out eyes. Yet Joe (Kevin Costner) is quite believable as a highly competent medical doctor who, as head of the ER, has an overwhelming weight of responsibility on his shoulders and no time to address his grief and loss. He doesn't know how to talk about his feelings, only to blurt them out physically as he wrestles with his supernatural puzzle -- and it is driving him crazy. He is a sympathetic character who carries us with him through the mysteries he encounters -- and he will not be denied the ultimate answer. Dragonfly is a movie about the love between two soulmates who have dedicated their lives to serving others -- and, in so doing, receiving the love and appreciation of others -- yet who are separated by that great chasm called death. But is there a bridge, and has Joe's Emily (Susannah Thompson) found it? Most importantly, Dragonfly is a movie about faith. As Joe says at the end, "Faith is what gets us there." 5 stars.