An edge of the seat movie about losing faith, and finding it.

Rating: Null/10 (11 August 2003)

M. Night Shyamalan tackles the issue of faith through the filter of science-fiction. Former Reverend Graham Hess (Mel Gibson), has thrown away his collar after the tragic accidental death of his wife. In Hess's words, "I will not waste one more minute on prayer!" This to the consternation of his family, brother Merril (Joaquin Phoenix), son Morgan (Rory Culkin), and daughter Bo (Abagail Breslin).

After the appearance of crop circles in the corn fields of their Pennsylvania farm, the family must pull together to deal with the frightening reality that they will soon face. Graham will not have the luxury of wallowing in his own bitterness for much longer.

This is an excellent movie for several reasons. It takes the Alien sci-fi genre, and gives it an entirely new treatment, a very cerebral treatment. Also, true to Shyamalan's cinematic ideals, it gives us a deeper moral question for which the movie is merely a framer. The question; are you the kind of person that believes that things just happen, or that they happen for a reason, is certainly worth asking.

Excellent acting here, especially from child actors Culkin and Breslin. I found the movie well-paced and riveting throughout and would recommend it as a suspense thriller with a message to anyone looking for a few chills.