Wow, dreadful acting, great story, damn shame

Rating: 5/10 (13 October 2008)

This is a good film marred by some of the worst acting I have seen in an A list movie such as this. But I was thoroughly engaged with the plot and if you are familiar with Shyamalan films, you cant fail to see his signature all over it.
Shyamalan loosely uses his plot structure of Signs as a template for the Happening. Only this time, there are more gory sequences than in any of his previous movies. Quite effective they are too that it made me squirm a few times. There are also moments of brilliance. In fact the movie starts magnificently, with a chilling opening sequence and there are great moments of foreboding fear peppered throughout. The main plot is something you will either buy into or you don't as with all Shyamalan's films. But the least you know about it, the better so I wont go into it. That said, if you don't buy into it, then there is very little else to enjoy because the acting and dialogue in this film is atrocious and potentially ruins the whole film.
Mark Whalberg plays the main antagonist but for the life of me, I cannot figure out what the hell he is trying to play. A wise teacher, a dork, a wise dork, or just plain annoying? I am just not sure and I didn't care as the performance was dreadful. Its clear that we are supposed to root for him but he is so unlikeable and irritating. Most of the other actors struggled to gain my sympathy too. Ultimately, I think the blame has to be on Shyamalan's terrible dialogue and shockingly sloppy direction over the actors. One thing I had always bank on with Shyamalan, is his ability to draw out great subtle performance from his leads. So what the hell happened here? Its as if he turned into an Ed Wood style film maker by calling a wrap on every first take. Its frustrating as there is a brilliant story here and excellent cinematography but its like looking at a great scenic painting with matchstick men graffiti doodled on it.
Its a damn shame.