Pure Genius

Rating: 9/10 (27 May 2009)

When this film came out I was stunned by the negative reviews it received. I thought people would have had enough time to figure it out. M. Night Shyamalan's films are never entirely about the "scare factor." There's always another layer, another discussion taking place. This movie is about a man who's lost his faith. It's not about an alien invasion at all. The invasion provides an interesting background, an extraordinary environment of stress and fear that drives the characters. The title Signs is a dual reference to the crop circle and the divine markers that lead Graham back to his faith, allowing him to save his family.
The other thing that was overlooked was Shyamalan's superb sense of art. Everything has been carefully crafted, every shot perfectly framed for his purposes. He knows how to manipulate an audience through his choice of camera angles and editing patterns. After all, what's most frightening is what you can't see. What sells the danger is the position and movement of the camera, the sequence of shots, the sound, and the actors' reactions. The other amazing thing is the film's sense of extreme isolation. Almost the entire film takes place at the farm, which places a lot of responsibility on both the actors and the director to keep things fresh and innovative.
This film is so underrated, but it does require the patience to think about what you're watching. Pay attention and you'll enjoy it too!