Waste of Talent

Rating: 2/10 (8 August 2004)

"The Village" is a waste of good talent. M. Night Shyanlam has written and directed a real loser for some fairly good actors. There are some exceptions to a scathing review. There are moments of great photography, and there is a color quality that speaks for itself. The eerie music is wasted on a bad film. There is little to enjoy. Bryce Dallas Howard remains remarkably good as the blind Ivy Walker, Hurt's daughter. She is true to form, but another waste of a good performer. Joaquin Phoenix also gives a good performance, but the stilted peculiar stage business is boring to say the least. Don't waste your time or money on this cinema. It is a mundane example of childish storytelling.