M. Night Shyamalan is known for films that have a twist in the plot, Signs and Sixth Sense are two classic examples of his curve ball style both films with endings that are still the subject of debate by film buffs. The Village is made in the same tradition as his previous works but this time the film is a mixed bag. Having been marketed as a horror film, well at least that's what I got from the trailers I `d seen, it may come as a bit of a let down to those who are expecting something with a jump out of your seat experience. The film is dark and has some suspenseful moments but most of them don't add up to the requirements of horror and the film lays more in a dark thriller genre than what the trailers seem to suggest.
The village of the title is a small isolated community in a fairly non-specific time and place in America, both in geography and chronology, though you assume that it is a back woods settlement
around the late 1800s. The villagers live a simple life away from contact with their neighbours who are vaguely termed the "Towns." The main reason for the solitary existence is that the woods surrounding the village hold a dark secret. The woods are the home of a non-human race who seem to have stepped out of a fairy tale and an uneasy alliance has been maintained with them for years, the villagers don't enter the woods, the creatures don't enter the village. But things are changing and the creatures seem to be trying to communicate with the residents of the village, even entering the village itself. Lucius Hunt (Joaquin Phoenix) asks the village elders if he may travel to the nearby settlements to buy much need medical supplies, a request that unsettles the status quo. As if in response to this the creatures out in the woods begin crossing into the village as if to remind the villagers of the arrangement that has worked in everyone's interests for years.
Against this backdrop the film introduces us to the relationships between the various characters within the isolated settlement. Bryce Dallas Howard plays Ivy Walker, a blind girl who sees peoples colour, a type of aura, and the central character to the love triangle that is at the heart of the film. Hunt and Walker are in love with each other, in that quiet, polite and understated way that seems a thing of the past, but a rival to Ivy Walkers affections is Noah Percy, an eccentric young man, touched by madness and played by Adrien Brody. In a fit of jealousy Percy attacks Hunt leaving him near dead, and the only way that he will be cured is by sending someone through the woods to fetch the supplies that Lucius Hunt suggested. This time a party is sent out through the woods to gain the required items and at this point the story starts to throw the unexpected twist that you have come to expect from Shyamalan. But this time there is not just one twist but a whole series that cause you to throw your understanding of the plot out of the window.
The Village has been accused of being too slow, but I think that comes from the modern fast paced style of film making, this plot builds like an older production, allowing us time to get to know the characters well and firmly establishing the characters place in the story line. What it loses in the action stakes it gains in depth of character and plot. And when the plot finally reveals itself in its fullest, it is well worth the wait and delivers you an idea that is both original and unexpected. There are some moments that will make you jump but as I have pointed out the film never tries to be a horror move, despite the way the trailers have been presented. The three lead characters do an excellent job, Phoenix as the strong, silent hero, Brody as the madman and Howard (daughter of producer Ron) as the mystical beauty. William Hurt and Sigorney Weaver are both adequate but under used in roles that could have been made more integral to the story, they do well to make the most of their roles, but the script was never on their side.
Viewers should go into this film with an open mind, the film is a mix of fantasy, romance and dark thriller, and fans of Shyamalans previous work will not be disappointed. A dark brooding film that takes its time to lead you through its original plot and full of the tricky nature that you come to expect from the master of the wrong footing plot. Rent it for sure but its probably not one for most peoples video collection.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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
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
Excellent stuff! If I was going to write a review on The Village it would similar to this as I agree with you on almost all points - the way the film was marketed, the slow building producing greater dynamics in plot and characterisation, etc. Which twist did you enjoy more?
star696969 15.02.2005 21:20
Sounds like an interesting film, Brill review.
Zooie 15.02.2005 20:54
I really liked this movie. I wouldn't own it because I'd be afraid the kids would watch it and well hey, I know what happens now! I think the big screen would be the way to see this.. in a dark, dark theater *insert spooky laugh here*
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![The Village [DVD] [2004]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78514791.jpg "The Village [DVD] [2004]")
Feb 6th, 2005
(Feb 12th, 2005)
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