because the buildup to it is thrilling, it works.

Rating: 7/10 (30 July 2004)

The trouble with The Village, as I suspected would be the case is that it's being sold as a horror movie starring Joaquin Phoenix. Didn't the bro population realize when tiffany didn't jump terrified onto their crotches during Signs that the sixth sense guy doesn't really make horror movies? He makes M. Night Shyamalan movies, which are a different thing.
Now the movie was good. That said, I think you're all going to hate it.
Yes it's centered around a huge plot twist AGAIN, like you're hoping. And yes, I like the twist. What I like about it is that it prompts discussion afterward, and because it makes you go back and reprocess everything, and because the buildup to it is thrilling, it works.
Again an important note is there's a brief maybe ten minutes of the film where you think the twist has happened and there seems to be no point in watching the movie. In order to survive this part I'll tell you in advance (no spoilers) that the movie flounders (At the point where Michael Pitt chickens out), but sort of recovers when it explains what the deal is.
But the problem around this point is it really feels like it's being explained. And not only that but the plot doubles back in time and has totally unnecessary voice-over bits that really give the feeling of a drunk guy telling a story, leaving an important part out and then going `before I tell this next part, I forgot to tell you that' Then the developments unfold in such a way that the writer's hand is clearly visible, thumping a few really clunky plot devices together and they don't quite fit (for later reference I mean Adrien Brody and what's under the floorboards, for one thing) but when it's over I smile I grin and I walk out of the theater because the twist got me, kind of.
So what you know about the plot is that people in the village are afraid of some kind of creatures in the woods. Now, knowing what you know you'll probably almost start to guess the plot twist correctly that's why I said it got me kind of.
Of course the other reason it works is because Night is so well-versed in the tricks of the trade. His moves all give the sense that you're being manipulated in every way imaginable and having a good time at it. He takes all the tricks, the frustrating camera angles, slow reveals and explosive rack focuses and throws them all together so that rather than feel cheated you come to enjoy being tricked. That's the fun of his style.
And once again great casting fills in the space left by some of the plot holes. After this you'll be saying `Joaquin who?' yeah he's kind of forgettable in the movie but there's this actress, Bryce Dallas Howard (seeming WAY too old to be Ron Howard's daughter) who absolutely knocks it out the park as his blind love interest. A stellar blind performance: convincing without being cloying and begging for sympathy, yet strong without being a joke.
Adrien Brody is in it (who knew?) as the village idiot. He'll knock your socks off until the plot is in more way more control of the character than the actor is.
This is not the best example of what Shyamalan can do, in fact it's his worst so far, but it's valuable because since the plot is so transparent this time around, you can really study how his mind works.