A cross between Wuthering Heights and the Evil Dead, with a liberal sprinkling of Brotherhood of the Wolf

Rating: 2/10 (4 August 2004)

Although M. Night Shyamalan prides himself on his ability to multitask (writing, producing, directing, inserting himself into all of his films), The Village makes me wonder if perhaps he ought not share some of these responsibilities with someone less prone to egomania and the over-calculation that went into this film. Although there are shining moments in the movie (Bryce Dallas Howard is stunning) the majority of this film is full of overwrought emotion and overly thought out scenes. Shyamalan's depiction of the importance of color is striking, as is the music that takes a prominent place in the overall feeling of the movie. The music of the film is top notch. In the end, though, Shyamalan takes himself-and his ability to outdo his previous twists and turns-much too seriously.