It would be nice to think that Sandra Bullock only chooses to take roles in entertaining, intriguing movies. However, sometime in the first five minutes of “Premonition,” she gets lost between the dream sequence and the familiar thriller-movie background music.
Suddenly the most important thing in the world to both Bullock’s Linda Hanson and the audience is time. What day is it? What time is it? What year is it?
The only helpful hints the audience has to discern what’s happening come from Linda’s clothes and the people around her.
Linda wakes up one morning to shuffle her two daughters off to school and later learns that her husband was killed in a car accident. She trudges through the day and sleeps through the night only to wake up and discover that Jim Hanson is not dead. Maybe.
As the film progresses, the time line becomes less and less certain. The psychological thriller attempts to manipulate time, such as in “The Butterfly Effect,” but only manages to screw with the viewers’ minds. Overall, the thriller adds no new material or gags or even interesting montages to the repertoire of its genre.
“Premonition” revolves around two central questions: Is reality the same as destiny? And can your destiny change your reality?
The DVD release includes an alternate ending that answers even fewer questions than the given ending. In addition, there is only a small smattering of deleted scenes included. None of them do more than take up extra time, and it is better that they weren’t included in the film.
For the confused, there’s a segment narrated by the director that condenses the film into chronological order. The movie itself revolves around the confusion and uncertainty of Linda; the madness of the film’s order is what makes the film so chilling. This segment was useful to understand the film as the director meant for the audience to see and interpret it.
Also included is the ubiquitous “making of” segment and, interestingly, a special on real premonitions. “Premonition” touches on the reality of its namesake and the confusion inherent in such an experience.
If you had wanted to see “Premonition” in theaters but for some reason couldn’t, you’ll be glad you waited for the DVD release by the end of the film. Made for the big screen, this thriller belongs on the small one.
