The Art of Simplicity.

Rating: Null/10 (6 August 2002)

Shyamalan Proves, once again, that a simple, well-written story can be highly effective. He is a master filmmaker with a very clear sense of how he wants to tell his story and unlike so many of the filmmakers we see these days, he starts with a story and a script and proceeds from there. He knows how to use special camera effects and when to leave them alone. (I was delighted to see that there was only one hand-held shot in the film that was well-placed and highly effective. He obviously does not make films for the hordes of imbeciles like comquest who always seem to miss the point. (Attack of the Clones is another example of people not only missing the point, but being perpetually dissatisfied.) The film is about a family trying to function in abnormal circumstances, it is not about aliens or crop circles or the end of the world. Rent Independence Day if that's what you want to see. It is an excellent portrait of a family suffering loss and a man's journey back to his lost faith in himself and God. The context within which Shyamalan chooses to tell his story, with aliens and crop circles and CNN news flashes about the end of the world is what makes him a unique and gifted filmmaker. It's not difficult to enjoy this film. Go in with an open mind and enjoy yourself. If you want the story to be a particular way, go make your own film. Go and enjoy what Mr. Shyamalan has done.