A Masterful Storyteller Weaves His Magic Yet Again!

Rating: 10/10 (30 July 2004)

Four Stars
A Masterful Storyteller Weaves His Magic Yet Again! A Spellbinding Old-Fashioned Yarn. A Hitchcockian Flare for Mounting Tension & Drama. A Beautifully Woven Political Fable. A Powerful Love Story. And Those We Do Not Speak Of...
There will be NO spoilers in this review!
I was robbed today... Robbed of a once in a lifetime opportunity. I was robbed by an idiot projectionist. Only a handful of directors have earned my trust enough to merit an early morning Friday visit to the local multiplex. I decided to catch the very first showing of M. Night Shyamalan's latest thriller, 'The Village'. Not only that, but the local AMC had a digital projection copy of the film. I was delighted and eager to see this long awaited movie.
I sat down in my chair, having decided to skip the popcorn stand because I am on a diet and because the line was too long. The screen was black... the lights were out... and a handful of other patrons showed up ten minutes early like me. Then, without warning, the screen lit up with a scene of some sort. I wasn't sure what I was watching until twenty or thirty seconds in. I recognized a familiar face. And then the realization slowly hit me... I was watching the very final moments of 'The Village'. The @#$!!)(@@ projectionist was messing around with the frame alignment and had accidentally begun playing the climax of the film. I was furious to say the least, and after explaining to the manager what had happened, I was promptly offered two free passes to any films of my choice in the coming weeks.
I was reasonably satisfied with the proposal, but I was utterly devastated to have my first viewing of this secretive film ruined by some pimple-popping moron. It is something that can never be regained unless you live in the world of Jim Carrey's 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'.
All that being said... I find it even more remarkable that, with the big secret given away, M. Night Shyamalan's 'The Village' still managed to send shivers down my spine and give me a million goose bumps. It is his mastery of storytelling and mood and pace that has made him such a brilliant director in such a short amount of time. Very few directors have ever had their first four major films be this stellar. 'The Village' may be the best of the lot and is easily one of the best films you will see all year.
It is impossible to talk specifically about the plot without giving anything away. So if I talk in utter vagaries, please forgive me. In a village enclosed by mysterious woods, a group of a hundred or so people reside peacefully. They appear to be early American settlers, perhaps pilgrims or an Amish community. The film is very vague about those details.
William Hurt plays Edward Walker, the patriarch of this community. He is one of the elders, a group of adults who act as a council for the village. Joaquin Phoenix is Lucius Hunt, a quiet loner who is tempted to enter the forbidden woods. He is thwarted though by the elders who teach of creatures that live in the woods. The creatures are referred to as "Those we do not speak of..."
Newcomer, Bryce Dallas Howard is Lucius' love interest Ivy Walker. She is blind but seems to see and feel more than many of those around her. She is a feisty girl who recognizes Lucius' feelings without him ever expressing them verbally. She feels his presence and associates him with a color whenever he is near. There is a touching scene where he finally expresses to her that he only ever feels fear when he thinks she may be in danger. Theirs is a burgeoning relationship that grounds the film with real emotions.
I will not reveal the plot points in the final half of the film only to say that due to a terrible circumstance someone is forced to enter the woods and travel to get help. The storytelling techniques that Shyamalan uses in this film are simply brilliant. Unlike his other three films, the focus in 'The Village' is less on the final revelation and "big twist" than it is on the journey to get there. This film is a masterclass of screen writing and plot development.
If there is one quibble I have with the film, it is in the character development. The film could have been thirty minutes longer to give us more clarity in each of the lead characters. But this film is more about story and fable and suspense and mood than it is about individuals. Someday soon, Shyamalan will develop into a brilliant creator of characters... He is already a consummate artist when it comes to creating story and visuals.
The acting is uniformly good. Everyone plays their part with stoic aim. The one stunning standout is the revelation of Bryce Dallas Howard. The daughter of director, Ron Howard, delivers one of the best major film debuts in recent memory. She is the emotional anchor of this film and those emotions are played out exquisitely on her gorgeous face. Her portrayal of Ivy is one of the best performances of 2004. I think she should be Oscar nominated. It is clear to me that, if she chooses to follow the film path, we have found a new great actress for the coming generation. What a lovely and inspired find by M. Night!
I have read some early reviews from other major critics. Most notably a terribly misguided review from my favorite critic, Roger Ebert. There are other reviews out there who lament that they saw the twist too far in advance or that the film was too somber. I am dumbfounded by their remarks. Did they miss the glorious cinematography? Did they miss the lovely interwoven political message (Which I will leave you to decipher)? Did they miss the tremendous performance of Bryce Dallas Howard? Did they miss a carefully crafted story whose tension mounts patiently? Did they miss the gorgeous use of strings in the soundtrack? Did they miss the fact that this film is so much better than the routine schtick we get week in and week out. Were their expectations skewed by Shyamalan's previous outings?
I think that if this was Shyamalan's first film, the same mediocre reviews would be glowing recommendations. This is the classiest of his four great films and his least sensationalistic. He is maturing with each and every cinematic venture. If he keeps up this curve for another 20 years, M. Night will soon discussed in the same breath as Alfred Hitchcock. There are a handful of better filmmakers out there right now, but I can't think of a better storyteller than he.
'The Village' is a first rate film. I highly suggest that you avoid hearing details or rumors about this movie before seeing it. I wouldn't want your virgin viewing experience robbed. I think time will prove me right over the Roger Ebert's of this world. This film will stand the test of time and serves as yet another stepping stone to greatness for Mr. Shyamalan. 'The Village' will assuredly contend for a spot in my Top Ten Films of 2004.