A truly remarkable film

Rating: Null/10 (9 August 2004)

I have come to expect only one thing before viewing an M. Night Shyamalan film, and that is a great story is about to be told. Of all of his films thus far I would consider The Village to be his masterpiece.
The film itself cannot be classified into one genre or another, it is simply an intelligent and remarkable story with many levels. On one level, the film is a beautiful love story filled with many interesting characters. On another level, the film is a well crafted character study and on the final level, the film is an intelligent look upon society that inspires highly philosophical debate about happiness and isolation. Of all of Shyamalan's films, I consider The Village to be his most well casted. Bryce Dallas Howard is brilliant in her portrayal of Ivy Walker and I expect great things to come for Ms. Howard. Her beauty is unmatched and and her performance deserves to be recognized by many awards committees. The Village is easily one of the best films of the year and one of the greatest stories ever written. The only expectation one should have when viewing an M. Night Shyamalan film is to expect a well told story. He is an intelligent director who makes intelligent films, and I think this is a rarity in the majority of films and movies made today.