Wonderfully Horrific Love Story

Rating: 9/10 (16 August 2004)

I am a fan of great storytelling and in this movie, more than any of his others, the storyteller in M. Night Shyamalan comes out.
This is one of the most beautifully horrific love stories I've ever heard and it's been put to film in that encompassing way that MNS seems to be able to do - surrounding you in an immersive environment of the film.
Without giving anything away (no spoilers here!), the twist that comes is at the same time wholly unexpected but completely parallel to the actual storyline - it changes your perspective but leaves the story completely and wholly intact. In previous movies, the twist(s) changed everything about the movie - in The Village, the twist(s) change everything about your (the audience's) perspective on the story, but left the movie alone. In this right, MNS has demonstrated a thoroughness of thought that few other writer/director/producers seem to put into a single sub-plot.
Not that everything was a surprise - many things in this movie are plainly evident, almost daring you to question your beliefs in the utterly obvious. In the end, however, you question WHY you believe the obvious.
Strongly recommended, a real "makes you think" movie that incorporates the best of true horror with the best storytelling so far this decade.
-- Mike :)