Dragonfly - PG-13\nStarring: Kevin Costner, Kathy Bates\nDirected by: Tom Shadyac\nShowing: Showplace West 12\nIn Tom Shadyac's new supernatural/spiritual thriller, "Dragonfly," the director poses this simple question: What if Robin Williams saw dead people? OK, actually, it's not Robin Williams. It's Kevin Costner. And Costner is really hearing more than seeing. Nonetheless, if you've ever entertained the tantalizing question of what would happen if "The Sixth Sense" was crossed with "Patch Adams," the latter of which Shadyac directed, then this is your movie.\nShadyac's film is about a doctor, played by Costner, who seems to be getting messages from his deceased wife in the form of cryptic, cross-like dragonflies from children who've had near-death experiences. So, we've got a man grieving over his lost loved one, getting creepy messages from kids that come via interpretive insect art. I can think of at least one film released not too long ago ("The Mothman Prophecies" anyone?) that follows this plot line almost identically, and a few others that come spookily close.\nShadyac's movie falters for several reasons: bad writing, a comatose Costner and deadpan direction. The script in this film clunks along. The direction in this film seems to employ every possibly conceivable ghost-story cliché with howling winds that ominously wake the sleeping, dead kids going "Boo!" and a paint-by-number soundtrack accompanying nether-worldly voices.\nFurthermore, apparently Shadyac and his screenwriters confused foreshadowing with fore-SHOUTING! This movie drops clues like anvils on thin ice. By the time we get to the "surprise" ending, anyone who has halfway followed the plot will see that it has the twist potential of Billy Graham at a Beatles concert. It just ain't happenin', folks.\nFinally, we have the gravely miscast Costner. What happened to the guy who made us believe in apparitions of the corn-kind, government conspiracies and dancing with wolves? Costner's films seem to have drowned with "Waterworld" and resuscitation is quickly becoming a non-option. The closest thing we have of a ghost in this film seems to be poor Kevin's career.\nSadly enough, "Dragonfly" had the potential to be a decent film. It's a movie that desperately wants to believe in itself, but in the end, that desperation is too telling. Shadyac's focus feels off center. What could have made a touching spiritual drama about the healing process one doctor needs to go through, turns into a hokey spook-fest with little depth and lots of melodramatic sap. Save this one for a Lifetime Special with that certain someone.\n
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