Nothing is coincidence

Rating: Null/10 (19 August 2002)

There are many who wonder, can you logically mix a faith in God with science fiction? Tolkien thought that you could, hence his belief that "God is the Lord, of humans, and of angels, and of elves." But few directors or writers have ever attempted to tackle a serious religious subject within the context of sci-fi. This is one of the first that manages to do so successfully.

To be honest, I didn't like the director's other two films. "The Sixth Sense" was creepy and morbid, and "Unbreakable" was boring. Most of my friends promised I would like this one, so I went. I was actually surprised. I think a lot of people don't like it merely because of its powerful religious references... the fact that Gibson's character is an ex-Anglican minister (not Catholic; Catholic ministers cannot marry) whose faith has been destroyed by his wife's death. (Ironically enough, the man responsible is portrayed by Shyamalan himself.)
The film is not about aliens per say, but more about faith in general; do things happen for a reason, or are they coincidence? That's what makes "Signs" so fascinating... there is a purpose behind everything that the director reveals to us in a Hitchcockian like sense of horror that isn't blood and gore and cheap thrills, but genuine suspense. Why the water glasses? Was that mumbled fragment of memory brought to his wife's lips on her deathbed merely random? Why the hints of Merrel's background as a ball player?
Yes, there are plot holes... but only if you refuse to accept God as a part of the big picture. Most people didn't get the innuendo about the aliens being first beaten in the Middle-east... otherwise known as Israel. Ring any bells? The best thing about "Signs" is that it's never completely serious... the scene in which Merrel is found wearing a tinfoil hat along with the kids had everyone in our showing in stitches. In short, it takes an intelligence to see this film for what it really is. It's not a cheap alien movie. If you're a Christian, like I am, it won't insult your faith, either. Is it really post-9/11? That conversation on the couch brought back memories.