Plot Twists are not the only genius of M. Night Shyamlan

Rating: 7/10 (21 June 2006)

I have never been a fan of M. Night Shyamanlan. His movies are earnest and well-made but have always been too slow-moving and far out for my tastes. But I thought The Village was his best movie to date.
The mood is like a Gothic fairy tale, but the monsters - or "those we don't speak of" - seem to symbolize the monsters we can create out of traumatic circumstances, as well as the lengths we will go to try to protect loved ones from fear and suffering. Shyamlan addresses this dilemma with a sensitivity that, while certainly not new, is never naive.
While some might say the talents of an all-star cast was unnecessary, I think it was such talent that drove home the theme of this film and kept it interesting. That heavyweights like William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, Adrian Brody and Joaquin Phoenix managed to be so effective in such understated roles was very refreshing and says a lot about their talent.
Also, those who have become used to shock fests and outright horror will be disappointed because, although there are some genuinely creepy moments and one scene that's truly shocking, the creepiness is only a backdrop to a much bigger issue.
Although I figured out the trademark Shyamalan plot twist before it was revealed, the final decision of whether or not to keep the Village secret was still a satisfying idea to ponder.
In spite of some extremely cheesy creatures and some comparatively weak moments near the end, Shyamalan put great care into this work and definitely earned my respect as a filmmaker.
I recently watched The Village again and enjoyed it more the second time around.