What an offensively shallow and stupid movie!!

Rating: Null/10 (11 May 2003)

****Minor Spoilers!****
Yes, I WISH that I could pretend that everything that occurred in this movie was actually the daughter's dream, but circumstances lead me to believe otherwise.
I have seen movies that demonstrate a director's religious/philosophical beliefs, but I really hope that Shyamalan thinks at a slightly more profound level than this film suggests.
This film is shallow, naive, theologically inconsistent, and stupid beyond belief. The dialogue and action are completely ridiculous and unbelievable. There is no point in recapping what some other reviewers have said, so let's just say that I worry that there might actually be some people who believe this kind of junk and ACTUALLY VOTE IN ELECTIONS!!!
There is no doubt in my mind about what this pretentious movie is saying, since it is completely unsubtle, but this film offers no arguments as to the validity or benefit of such beliefs.
Fortunately, the director has couched his suggestions and statements in a genuine mess of a movie, with physical inconsistencies, gargantuan jumps in logic, and completely unbelievable characterizations. This means that you simply can't take them seriously.
In spite of that, I found this movie far more offensive than some slasher movies. At least they make no pretense in their efforts to shock and titillate. They have no ulterior motives.
I think that you should see this movie just as an exercise in learning about other people's muddled thought processes. In this respect, it evokes tremendous depression, so you will at least have SOME reaction to his work.