A reflexion on today's America

Rating: 10/10 (20 August 2004)

I have just seen the movie which I thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end. I have been pondering on the numerous ideas raised by the movie and have spent much time reading reviews on the IMDb board. Seeing how diverse and passionate the overall reactions to the movie are, I realized that M. Night Shyamalan fully succeeded in his enterprise.
**** SPOILERS ****
Many people walked into the movie theater expecting a scary movie dealing with the supernatural. Instead the movie deals with modern society, the fear of others, making up lies, keeping secrets ..... and the temptation to create a utopian society secluded and isolated from the rest of the world.
I am not surprised that most American viewers did not react favorably to the movie. "The village" is a metaphor of today's America dealing with its fears of terrorism and immigration. Shyamalan was inspired by the events of 9/11 when he wrote the scenario (something he talks about openly in Europe but keeps somewhat quiet in the US). The terrible things that each family in the village experienced in the past are symbolic of the trauma experienced by the attacks on the towers. Thus, the temptation to make up new fears (Iraq), manipulate people and build a wall around yourself ..... Lies, deception and secrets ....... Sound familiar ?
Yes, this is not your summer blockbuster movie. It's reflective movie which makes you think. Each person makes up his own opinion about the motivations of the elders in the village. Whether or not they are good people or completely clueless.
Yes, the outside world can be scary and reality harsh to deal with.... So how the does world cope ??? How do you make things better ????
The movie does not provide answers but has the merit to make people react. Just like people are deeply divided on Bush and Iraq, people will be deeply divided on this movie.