A true masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (7 November 2004)

** HERE BE SPOILERS **
An old village, in the end of 19th century, is living under a truce between it and the monsters that live in the surrounding forest. No villager may enter the forest and then no creature from the forest shall enter the village. The village is happy but recently illness has claimed victims and Lucius Hunt (Phoenix) asks permission from the elder council to travel through the forest to fetch medicine from the towns. The council is reluctant and then there are incidents. Animals, killed and skinned are found throughout the village. At first it is thought to be the work of some wild predator, but then the monsters cross the border. Something they have not done for years. At the same time, life in the village must go on, and there are love growing between people, for example between Lucius and the daughter of town elder Edward Walker (Hurt), Ivy (Howard). But such feelings may create envy in others and there are hidden secrets that seemingly no one wants to talk about.
This is a great movie, a masterpiece. The story is wonderful. Well thought out and full of details, and it also has several layers, something you can feel but not quite put your finger on. This script is put in to the hands of the cast to act it out. It is cast full of great actors and actresses, Phoenix, Weaver, Howard, Hurt and Brody to name but a few. Especially Howard as the blind girl Ivy, and Brody as the troublesome Noah. Hunt should also be mentioned as the leading elder Edward Walker. But the entire cast is great and do a terrific job. And then back to Shyamalan who do a great job directing it all. The combined effort of everyone makes this a masterpiece to treasure.
10/10