Unusual to say the least, but interesting to those who aren't expecting blood 'n guts horror.

Rating: Null/10 (9 August 2005)

Rarely do viewers agree completely on the merits of a film, but there is a relatively small collection of movies that place viewers into camps that either actively like or dislike them, sometimes rabidly, and this is one of them. Marketed (incorrectly) as a horror film, it is actually a mystery/character study. Viewers with preconceived expectations are nearly always let down. Those with very low levels of anticipation tend to enjoy it more. The story concerns a rather remote, rustic settlement that is surrounded by thick woods. The villagers live by an almost Amish or Quaker-like code and speak in old-style English. Despite their peaceful and almost Utopian existence, there is always the constant threat of invasion from or destruction by a group of forest-dwellers referred to as "Those We Do Not Speak Of". These creatures are occasionally glimpsed in the night, often by those young men who are assigned to watch the border of the village from a tall tower amidst a perimeter of glowing torches. Meanwhile, the youths in the village find themselves exploring the first blush of romance as they begin to pair up with one another while the Elders advise and counsel the settlement. Eventually, the tenuous relationship between the villagers and the creatures is sorely tested and one member of the settlement must attempt to reach a nearby town in order to save a beloved fellow villager's life. Ultimately, several twisty and (possibly) shocking plot elements are revealed which place the movie into a whole other category. This area tends to cause the most controversy among viewers. A remarkable cast was assembled and most of them do a very nice job. Howard, who emerged out of near total obscurity, performs admirably as a blind girl who winds up having at least as much strength as anyone else in the village. Her actual playing of blindness is, at times, unconvincing, but her acting abilities and her presence before the cameras are startlingly fresh and engrossing. Phoenix is excellent as the young man who has feelings for her. Unfortunately, he doesn't have quite as much screen time as one might like, but he is exceedingly good when he's on. Brody's performance is a matter of taste. He plays (literally!) the village idiot and at times seems to really over-play it. He and Phoenix, however, have one face-to-face encounter that is a stunner and Brody's role starts to make more sense upon a second viewing. Some very solid seasoned actors turn up as the Elders. Hurt and Weaver (who co-starred years before in "Eyewitness") share a sort of tormented, unfulfilled romance and both give thoughtful, well-modulated performances. Other nice work comes from Gleeson, Jones and Weston as fellow Elders. One thing that director Shyamalan excels at is the setting of a mood. The film has a beautiful, yet haunting, pastoral look and feel to it. The audience is lulled into a warm and serene environment, but one that is tinged with dread since it's always clear that something it not right in the woods. Alert viewers will likely be able to guess the major plot twist near the end long before it is revealed, but that doesn't mean there aren't still a few surprises and jolts along the way. There is also an almost surreal scene between one villager and one creature that is harrowing in the extreme. If nothing else, the film is thought-provoking and a conversation piece, but for those in the right mood, it is also a fascinating and endearingly strange cinematic experience.