Synopsis: A small village community has an agreement with ‘those we do not speak of’, creatures that inhabit the woods surrounding them. The agreement is that neither side will venture into the others territory. But when Lucius (Phoenix) requests permission to leave the village, things suddenly start going bump in the night…
An M. Night Shyamalan film has become something of an institution, an annual event ripe for discussion. The Village certainly continues his tradition of splitting audiences right down the middle. Fear not then, as here comes another exciting round of Shyamalan: Genius or lame Hitchcock counterfeiter?
His latest has all of the familiar elements, with a slow burn feel, superbly orchestrated scares and James Newton Howard’s fear inducing score. He even goes back to his love of the colour red (In the Sixth Sense it represented Death, here it’s very bad indeed). And who can blame him when he’s so damn good at it? Our fear of the unknown is once again taken to terrifying new levels, with mysterious noises, fog and illumination strictly by candlelight creating a creepy sense of foreboding. Roger Deakins’ cinematography is also fantastic, coating the village with a cold, crisp finish. The set design completes an authentic period piece and, thanks to the direction and performances, you really will believe there is something in them there woods.
The heart of the story is the shared love between Lucius and a blind girl named Ivy. As with his previous films, Shyamalan allows the characters room to breathe with every line, mannerism and plot development carefully controlled. Of course it helps when Phoenix is your leading man and he delivers an honest performance, doing so much by saying so little. But the film ends up belonging to big screen debutante Bryce Dallas Howard. Portraying Ivy as a vulnerable yet headstrong young woman, Howard grabs your attention, embodying the human spirit as she fights for her future. Ivy is the most well rounded character and with such a breakout performance, Howard’s agent is sure going to be busy.
The supporting cast is adequate yet disappointing considering the talent on show. Weaver is wasted, given nothing to feed on except a hint of a past, so she ambles around smiling a lot. Brody is all giggles and tics as the challenged Noah Persie and just about gets away with it, while Hurt and Gleeson sleepwalk through their roles, just there to layer the threat of ‘those we do not speak of’. As for the creatures, well you won’t find any answers here, but Shyamalan taps into those stories you were told when you were a kid, thriving on the horrifying thought that the bogeyman could actually exist.
And the ending? It’s simply a bridge too far, Night giving into his impulses yet again. This time though he blows the plot wide open, leaving too many unanswered questions in its wake. It doesn’t destroy the film but it kills the mood and audience participation in the blink of an eye. Whereas his loyal supporters can plead his case for the ending of Signs, here it’s just too tough a sell. Even Shyamalan devotees will have a hard time buying into it, and it’s distracting enough to knock a whole star off the film.
Despite the ending, The Village is still a hugely successful blend of genres with horror, drama and romance all beautifully crafted by a sure hand up until the clumsy finale. Shyamalan fans will find plenty to admire and there’s enough hair-raising enjoyment for everyone else. Night is a talented filmmaker with plenty of imagination but his party piece is starting to wear thin, his constant need for deception threatening to turn him into a one-trick pony. It really is time papa got a brand new bag.
Overall
Scares aplenty in M. Nights’ latest chiller. But please, no more twist endings…
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1984 - Horror - Director: Joe Dante - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Polly Holliday, Frances Lee McCain, Judge Reinhold, Corey Feldman
Production Year: 2002 - Horror - Director: Danny Boyle - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Cillian Murphy, Megan Burns, Noah Huntley, Christopher Eccleston, Marvin Campbell, Brendan Gleeson
I guessed the ending of this near the start. I went to see it at the cinema on my second date with my current girlfriend, so it has a sentimental value. I found it pretty average. Great review though!! Paul
Chalk 11.04.2005 20:44
I hated this film, I found it incredibly boring. However, very helpful review, gives a nice op
coleecip 21.02.2005 15:29
Isn't it sweet how people revere Hitchcock and refuse to let anyone else try to better him. Hitchcock was not God and if director want to do cameos then fine. I thought this film was nice. I enjoy the social commentary in all the films
Even when his trademark twist-ending formula wears worrisomely thin as it does inThe ... more
Village, M. Night Shyamalan is a true showman who knows how to serve up a spookfest. He's derailed this time by a howler of a "surprise" lifted almost directly from "A...
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Even when his trademark twist-ending formula wears worrisomely thin as it does inThe ... more
Village, M. Night Shyamalan is a true showman who knows how to serve up a spookfest. He's derailed this time by a howler of a "surprise" lifted almost directly from "A...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Run. The truce is ending. M. Night Shyamalan's 'The Village' finds the renowned ... more
writer-director crafting a suspenseful story of a small community whose inhabitants are plagued by fear of the unknown forest that surrounds them. For years they have kep...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
From Academy Award-nominated writer, director and modern-day master of suspense M. Night ... more
Shyamalan (Nominee: Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, The Sixth Sense, 1999), THE VILLAGE is a riveting, edge-of-your-seat chiller with a stellar ensemble c...
![The Village [DVD] [2004]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78514791.jpg "The Village [DVD] [2004]")
Aug 23rd, 2004
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