If Only M. Night Shyamalan Did This . . .

Rating: Null/10 (7 July 2006)

This movie was absolutely chilling and suspenseful, and though I didn't get "scared," I was certainly surprised by the delicious twist ending.
Nicole Kidman plays a mother of two, burdened by the responsibilities of caring for Anne and Nicholas, who both cannot be exposed to sunlight, imprisoning her in a world of darkness, as well as the mysterious whereabouts of her husband, fighting in the war. All of this is fraying her dwindling energy. And there are references throughout the movie about "the day Mummy went mad." I loved how the story was manipulated, how throughout the entire film we as the audience are suckered into the belief that the "others" are the phantoms trying to shoo them away. Instead, it's them, they are the dead and the "others" are the frightened living, as the day Mummy went mad refers to the day that woman killed her children and shot herself.
That spooking performance of Mrs. Mills was just breathtaking. As she knew everything and withheld it gave her a sinister aura, until at the end, it turns out all she was doing was sincerely helping.
However, there were a few scenes that I found a bit corny. The over-dramatic explanations of the "doors always being shut," the overwhelming music being played during the most, if I may, apathetic scenes, it all led me to wonder how much better it could've been if a grand master like Shyamalan created this masterpiece.