A Middling Philosophical Drama

Rating: 5/10 (21 September 2002)

Yes, the film uses a science-fiction angle as a background story to a widowed minister (well-played by Mel Gibson) who loses his faith, but hopefully re-gains it in the end. No one would probably see a film like this unless there were some aliens involved. The director M. Night Shyamalan cast himself, not too convincingly, in a key role, while Joaquin Phoenix is simply too young to be Gibson's brother, but Cherry Jones is excellent as the town sheriff. Effective elements of producer Val Lewton's 1940s films, "Night of the Living Dead" (1968) and "Blair Witch Project" (1999) are utilized here, creating effective suspense and eeriness. The aliens' invasion is very low-key, with a most unsatisfying denouement for their demise. Well-shot, scored and directed, it just doesn't soar.