The Village

Rating: 9/10 (2 January 2008)

This is M. Night Shyamalan at the height of his game. "The Village" works on both important levels. Firstly, as a genre movie it is frightening. Shyamalan once again determines his reputation of being a master of suspense. But this time, unlike for example in "Signs", the film also works as a character drama. A very well told story hides behind all the scares. And a study about superstition, (religious) fundamentalism and courage. This was one of the worst reviewed movies in Shyamalan's career. I can't see any other reason for this than wrong expectations. I get the impression that many people disliked the movie, because they "knew" early that the monsters weren't real. But that's exactly my point, the film doesn't rely on the twist, because it's digging much deeper. Overall, I love the acting in this movie. But the standout in "The Village" has to be Bryce Dallas Howard as the blind Ivy Walker. I also love the music by John Newton Howard.