Uncommercial... And better for it.

Rating: Null/10 (29 August 2004)

This didn't strike me as a movie that was ever going to appeal to the masses. For a start setting it in a Victorian community is going to alienate viewers bought up on a diet of action and adventure. Storytelling just doesn't sell anymore. Witness the poor box office returns for flicks such as Far From Heaven, Thirteen Days, Ratcatcher. Some of the best movies of the last few years. So, onto the movie. Shyamalan's dealt with ghosts, superheroes and aliens. Here, for my money at least, he tells a fairytale. The village of the title refers to a small community living in isolation in the late 1800's. Surrounded by woods, the villagers have made a truce with "the ones we cannot speak of", creatures that stalk the surrounding woods. The villagers don't go into the woods, the creatures don't come into the village. That's the way it's been for years. As we all know though, all good things come to an end. To say much more would be criminal, as this is easily Shyamalan's most well paced, thoughtful piece of work yet. People coming out of the screening I saw I felt were generally annoyed that they'd bothered. However, there were a lot of kids, and this is NOT a kids film. It's much better placed alongside a Brothers Grimm tale or Neil Jordan's The Company Of Wolves. While I was watching it, I loved it, but I wasn't at all scared. But in the few days since I saw it, it's genuinely haunted me.
The images in it revoking fears of childhood, and things you never think you'll see.
To sum up, I personally think this could turn out to be my favorite movie of the year. Certainly top 5. Thoughtful, full of atmosphere and with more than just the one surprise. Don't miss!