A mixed bag, but still rather good.

Rating: 7/10 (1 August 2004)

The Village is by far the weakest of M. Night's last four films... but even with that, his latest tale is an engrossing, well acted picture.
Yes, there is a twist and no it is not that good of one, but to me, basing the whole film on the twist is a crime.
This time M creates a LOVE STORY. While love has been at the root of his previous four flicks as well, this understated romance is far more moving than it's predecessors. Joaquin Phoenix, as the stoic Lucius Hunt and new comer Bryce Dallas Howard as the breathtaking Ivy Walker create such a powerful bond of young love that this movie becomes a pleasure to watch.
Add in the other great performances, the BEAUTIFUL camera work, some political questions and a few (and i do mean few) scares and you've got a movie that is far better than most. So no, the village is not as good as i would have hoped... but it's still pretty damn good.
(for anyone who remembers the scene in Last of the Mohicans when the younger sister jumps off the cliff... it's that kind of love. Bryce Howard, daughter of Ron, is going to be a star... a very big star.)