Misunderstood masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (1 August 2006)

I first saw this film during summer vacation, in Montreal. It opened there months before it did in Spain, so I ran to the theater (I'm very big fan of Shyamalan's work) In the end I was very disappointed. I was expecting to see a terrifying movie, after all those scary trailers and promotional stuff. What I saw, instead, was a tale, a modern tale with a dept and a meaning I failed to get in this first viewing. So, back in Spain, I went to the movies to give it a second chance, and then I understood everything. I knew what I was going to see, so I enjoyed it like very few films before. On the other hand, people left the theater disappointes, just like I was on my firt viewing. It is clear, Shyamalan shoul fire the guy who made promotion of this film. It has many things making the ticket (or DVD now) worthy. The beautiful score by Newton Howard, cinematography, production design... Everything matched perfectly the tone of the movie, its poetry and legend. And what about the actors. William Hurt deserved an academy award for his emotional character, and Bryce Dallas Howard lightened the screen with her only presence. I was a bit disappointed with Joaquin Phoenix's character, I expected for him more screen time and more importance in the story. And Adrien Brody enjoys his part and makes it believable. The story is great. That isolated village, the forest (you really feel scared when the characters are inside, though the creatures haven't been shown at all), the message about control through fear (Bush) and the beautiful ending make a great movie, for me, the best one that came from Shyamalan's genius. And, though many say there's no twist at the end, there is one. And it is so great that it makes the film better, more human, more poetic. Don't expect horror. Expect beauty.