The beginning's good. The end isn't.

Rating: 5/10 (3 September 2004)

This film begins interestingly, but after a succession of hopelessly contrived revelations becomes laughable.
From the opening scenes, it is clear that there is something strange going on in this idyllic 19th century hamlet surrounded by woodland. The occupants appear so carefree, and yet... A nice sense of unease develops as we are made aware of their weird taboos. There is a "bad" colour, there are "those whe do not speak of". It becomes clear that there is something in the woods that poses a terrible danger to the inhabitants. The horror that stalks this place can only be seen from the corner of your eye, and can only be described indirectly. This makes for a genuinely unsettling first half.
The film looks fine, and the music is effective in underscoring the sense of gathering menace. Furthermore, the performances are all really quite good, from the fearless Lucius (Pheonix), through the sweet but steely Ivy (Howard) to some of the more potato-faced village elders, who watch over their flock with a convincing mix of the autocratic and the benevolent.
The increase in the unsettling activities of the mysterious creatures is handled well, and is accompanied by engaging human drama when a love-triangle begins to clarify. I was really looking forward to where the film was going to go next. Unfortunately, it gets very silly. Very silly indeed. Yes, we're talking the dreaded twist(s). Whether you see them coming or not, they don't develop the story in an interesting direction. They are lumpen and silly, and seemed utterly contrived. I imagine this was in an attempt to do a Sixth-Sense yet again and get the audience "ooh!"-ing. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I couldn't stifle a snigger. The final twist that accompanies the opening of the mysterious box may as well have been that the events were all a dream, and is just as inconsequential. That having been said, it is rather amusing, (I guess intentionally so) when Shyamalan pops up to helpfully explain away an obvious gap in the logic at the end. But that isn't anything like adequate compensation for the second half of the film. I felt particularly robbed because I had really started to enjoy it.
I don't mind if he makes another film, because "The Village" is clearly the work of a talented man. But please, can the twist next time be that there isn't a twist?