Good, but different than many will expect

Rating: 8/10 (2 August 2004)

I liked this movie - which doesn't mean you will. Most things I have read have given brutal ratings but the word of mouth I have heard from the few friends who saw it was positive. Which isn't really a big shocker for a Shyamalan film - you either love it, hate it, or disappointed by it. This isn't a true horror flick, and it doesn't have a whopping climax that I'm sure everyone is desperate to see. Instead, we have an accurate portrayal of colonial living and some supposed supernatural influences. I have heard complaints about the acting: I thought it was superb. I have heard complaints about the pace and mood: I thought it was appropriate. I enjoyed the love story, the ending, the people, and most of all the directors' careful camera angles. I won't recommend it though, because I can see why people would hate it - if you're going to the movies to be shocked or surprised you probably won't be. And, of course, there are some really big coincidences to make it all smooth and end well but I didn't care. I had a good time at the movies seeing this, and that is what matters to me.