If you wanted to be a curmudgeon and disect the script of "The Mothman Prophecies," with a fine tooth comb, you would probably find plenty of holes. But the film is so well-made and the acting is so pitch-perfect that the film somehow swallows you up and holds you in it's soft tentacles.

Most of this fascination is supplied by one man behind the camera and one man in front of it. Mark Pellington, the director, and Richard Gere, the actor, both work wonders here to bring forth a troubling and engrossing tale of loss, grief and supernatural prognostication.

Pellington has been a blip on my radar screen since he directed the 2nd best video of all time, Pearl Jam's "Jeremy." This clip (and some others) were followed by the feature films "Going All the Way," which I haven't seen and the fascinating "Arlington Road." The latter really made Pellington a director to watch in my book.

"Road" has much in common with "Mothman" in that it features a protagonist with "heightened" powers of observation which lead him into being considered crazy and, finally, into a web of events beyond his control.

Pellington, here, creates a nexus of otherworldly influences threatening to burst into the here and now at any moment. With seemingly normal images shot in an askew manner to give them a strange look, Pellington creates a world out of bounds, tilting into darkness. Look at how he films the insert shots here. Every picture is off-kilter somehow, just enough to make us question our perception of reality. This piece is filmed perfectly. Pellington is a director of immense visual talent who will, very soon, mark my words, create a masterpiece.

Gere, as well, is at the top of his form here. Visible in almost every frame of the film, Gere gives a performance so unlike his other screen personas that we practically forget it is he that we are watching here. Pellington even makes Gere, somehow, look unlike himself. It's fascinating.

The supporting cast is awesome as well. Laura Linney, Gere's co-star from "Primal Fear" provides fine support here. Caught up in the maze of uncertainty with Gere, she provides both romantic interest and voice of reason as well as later appearing as "helpless female." Debra Messing, known for her comedic TV roles, like Grace Adler on "Will and Grace," only has a small role her but she proves herself more than a comedian. Meanwhile will Patton, who has appeared in dozens of films without making a name for himself, provides the talent his experience would lead one to expect as well as that unknown quality that allows his character to seem real. Gere is surrounded by numerous actors who make him shine.

I have said little about what "The Mothman Prophecies" is about because knowing the film's plot ahead of time will spoil it for you. Just see it. Discover Mark Pellington before your friends do so that you can say "I told you so" when he becomes the next Tarintino, the next P.T. Anderson.

Report Card Script: B+ Acting: A+ Cinematography\Lighting: A+ Special Effects\Make Up: A+ Music: A+ Final Grade: A+

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