One of the finest films of 2004. People who watched for the twist missed the important message.

Rating: 10/10 (16 July 2005)

This was easily one of the finest films of 2004. When I saw it in the theater, I didn't guess the twist until it was right before my eyes. But with that aside, this film has a very powerful social message, which M. Night was going for. Its disappointing to hear people hated this film because it wasn't scary enough for them or the twist was too easy to guess. Those people are ignorant and bypassed one of the most powerful films of the year. And besides, the acting was magnificent. Bryce Dallas Howard, I must say, gave an Oscar- worthy performance. She is extremely talented and turned her role of Ivy into someone you can sympathize with and cry for. She gave enough to her character that nobody would leave the theater saying "Ivy was obnoxious", she was simply amazing. Each scene was so beautifully crafted and photographed that every one seemed like a Vermeer painting, if this film had come out closer to Oscar time, it would have probably nabbed nods for Art Direction, Cinematography and Costume Design. Overall, The Village is a powerful work of art that should not be ignorantly overlooked. I bought it on DVD the day it came out.