A decent and atmospheric film

Rating: Null/10 (12 August 2004)

I almost stayed away from The Village, since just about every review I read said it was horrible. I'm glad that I decided to give it a chance after all, and go into the theatre with an open mind and no special expectations for what it would be about (as one always SHOULD, if it were not for the often stupid, insulting, and misleading previews).
The photography and atmosphere were beautiful, and by and large the acting was very good as well. Some complain about stilted dialogue or language, but when you realize who these people really are and what they are actually doing, it pretty well fits right in. It makes sense!
The overall plot held together as well as any Hollywood film, although I am surprised by the number of viewers who apparently cannot comprehend such a simple plot once they have seen it, and still come up with outlandish takes on the film. Maybe they were not really paying attention or listening to the dialogue.
When it all comes to a head, the twists at the end, and I counted about three places where the audience's train of thought was deliberately rerouted, are suitably explained, or at least hinted at, by what came before. And this writer/director's film's have never been really profound OR scary, after all, but they usually make some sort of sense and he has not cheated anywhere.
The following might be considered by some to be a spoiler, so be warned! I think The Village is primarily a human story, a commentary on how bad our modern society has become and to what lengths people of like mind might go to find something better, and it is a romance and a tragedy. Go to it with expectations for nothing else, and you will probably enjoy it.