Pick another plot device for this message movie.

Rating: Null/10 (5 August 2002)

I'll try to be vague but there may be Spoilers in this review.
I understand that this movie is not about science fiction. But if you are going to use this genre as the basis for telling a story, at least get it right. "Signs" is yet another example of a director viewing this genre as a means to an end; as a license to create dramatic moments without having to make any sense. Hasn't Spielberg given us enough of this? Modern cinema believes that the supernatural, fantasy, and science fiction are all the same thing. They are not. Those genres succeed when there are rules of engagement. There are none here. The aliens can jump off housetops and travel across interstellar space but can't break down wooden doors. I'm supposed to ignore the fact that there is water in the air, humidity you know, or dew on those corn stalks? And just what is that alien trying to accomplish in Mel's living room? Why does he hang around? It's all very silly.
But leave all that aside for the moment and focus on the spiritual heart of the movie. As I said, the science fiction subplot is just a means to an end, the end being the test of faith for Father Hess. Does the movie succeed on that level? No. The message here is embarrassingly shallow. First, Father Hess insulting divides humanity into two parts; those that have faith are not afraid while those without faith are. It ain't so, Joe. Second, God is on our side; pity those poor hapless aliens who exist only for the main character's reaffirmation of faith. Finally, that reaffirmation is based upon the belief that personal traits are part of some divine plan for individual salvation - the boy's asthma saves his life, the girl's obsession with water saves the family. Personally, this is a somewhat offensive idea. I have known several people who died due to the pursuit of their individual gifts.
I wouldn't be so critical if the movie didn't take itself so seriously. But it does. Therefore, when salvation was partly provided by a dying woman's words in reference to a baseball bat, I could only shake my head in disbelief.
In the end, the great message in this movie appears to be that God works in mysterious ways. So does Hollywood. Good Night Shamalayan.
Rating 2/10