Watching it would be a "capital" idea

Rating: Null/10 (28 February 2005)

If this movie is watched without past reference to Night's earlier films then definitely its a good movie. But the moment you know that its "The Sixth Sense" director is at the helm of affairs, you know what you are seeing on the screen could possibly be a misnomer. Thats what precisely happened to me while I watched "The Village".
The story set around 1897 is effectively backed up with costumes, set design, language (including grammar) and the rituals. The screenplay is fantastic with the finer nuances portrayed effectively. The usage of colour signifying bad colour and good colour is depicted well. The eerie sounds of the woods truly add depth to the movie.
Phoenix delivers a restrained performance however the star of the movie is Bryce Dallas Howard. She gets into the skin of the character as a blind girl. Adrien Brody proves yet again that he is Oscar material. Pity the character he portrayed didn't have much scope. Signourey Weaver is wasted.
One thing is clearly written on the wall - the director does have what it takes. My only suggestion is that he shift away from Hitchcockian movie in which he is trying to establish his trade-mark.