Not bad, but don't expect Sixth Sense

Rating: 7/10 (18 February 2005)

I have to admit for most if the movie I didn't really know what I was watching. Was this classic Shymalan? Or was he trying something new? It wasn't until the end of the movie that I realized it was a little of both. I think the film was should have gotten more attention than it did overall. As a character study I think he overachieved. As a suspenseful drama I think it was a little lacking. Joaquin Phoenix is a phenomenal actor. But I think his talents were a little underused. The plot was a little far fetched to me even before I knew how it ended. Anyone who knows their history is going to have a hard time sitting through this film without asking themselves a thousand questions. Suspending disbelief is hard when you are presented with a period film that seems to be riddled with incongruence's. The ending is watch you would expect from Shymalan, which was a problem for me actually. Expecting a twist is really not as fun as being surprised by it. I think he actually wrapped it up a little too tightly. We should have been left with the final scene of the girl standing in the middle of the road as the troopers jeep arrives. I think everything after that was just trying to explain too much. But I did enjoy the film. Nad it was a very novel idea. Too bad that it couldn't work, cause I would do it in a heartbeat!!!