Huh? *SPOILERS* The Others from a filmmaker/screenwriter's point of view

Rating: Null/10 (27 August 2001)

*SPOILERS AHEAD*
As having been a Hollywood screenwriter for more than twenty years, the popularity of dreck like this confounds the mind. Nicloe Kidman, a very overrated actress, does her best with the material, but is left in the dark by a poor script.
Character development? Never mind that. The emphasis is on atmosphere. The plot twist is EXTREMELY PREDICTABLE, both myself and my viewing partner caught it early on. This is no Sixth Sense. The film lays out too many clues; and when Kidman's dead, confused husband enters into the mix halfway through, it is all to predictable.
The fact Kidman's children have a light deficiency disease never factors into the story at all, in fact, it has no relevance. The pacing moves backward and the overbearing music belongs in a darker, more suspenseful film, ala the Changeling. Granted, there are a few decent set pieces, but this is poor at best.
Most comments on this film are very positive. To be truthful, none of the plot makes any sense. If they are dead, where does the food come from? How do they cook? How did they get the keys from the living? How do they wash clothes? Are they sleeping in beds with the living? AHHHHH!!!! It's confounding!!!! The Sixth Sense handled this masterfully by having Bruce Willis appear from nowhere, never opening a door, never moving a chair. In The Others, there is no explaination. Recycled idea, poorly executed.
3/10
Bottom line: Bring a pillow. The Others is a long, dull nap that is offensive due to it's egotistical "ha, ha, fooled the audience" attitude. I despised it.