I know what I like, but I don't know if it's art...

Rating: 6/10 (29 September 2004)

(Spoilers)
The Village is one weird movie. It has loads and loads of subtext and symbolism. The "dangerous" color, red, which has to be buried, signifies some form of passion. The "safe", "protective" color, yellow, signifies cowardice.
While the movie's message isn't striking while you watch it, in retrospect it does seem to be about a society (the U.S.) of fear, conservatism and manipulation - but apparently that status quo is just maintained at the end.
This is a movie that has "art" written all over it, but it doesn't come through on it. It could have gone in lots and lots of brilliant directions, but it doesn't. On the face of it, it gives the impression of ending up vindicating Christian conservatism and nature romanticism; justifying cowardly people's flight from the real world. Very strange. That cannot be the final message, surely!
Consequently one must conclude that Shyamalan has plenty of artistic intentions and ambitions, but he keeps so tight a lid on them that they end up having hardly any effect - it was really the same with Signs. In other words, he is too careful. He wants to say something progressive and radical, but can't solidify the message well enough to produce a well-rounded piece of meaningful movie-making. That's sad.
Of course, I might be wrong. Maybe there'll be an extended version later which makes a lot more sense. This theatrical version I can only rate 6 out of 10, because despite other virtues it just does not make sense on a symbolical level (the level on which the movie is obviously meant to be primarily understood). But, maybe it's one of those movies that one has to think about for a long time and watch several times before one "gets it".
I'd like to mention the acting as well. Much of the movie was delightful to watch because many performances are extremely good. It is natural to single out Bryce Dallas Howard, who shines through as an intelligent, mature and sensitive actress who will certainly be among tomorrow's greatest Hollywood talents.