Shyamalan's Sophomore Slump

Rating: 4/10 (26 November 2000)

Concept & Direction: 10; story and execution: 2. Shyamalan's premise for the film, which is a bit different than what the ads would have you think, is fascinating, and it creates a very compelling, sympathetic and interesting character in Mr. Price (Samuel L. Jackson). However, plot holes and lapses in logic abound and the premise itself doesn't quite fit the dead-serious rendering here. The only thing that keeps it afloat is the stylishness of Shyamalan's direction, although I could have used a lot less of his wandering POV cam.
As with "The Sixth Sense," this film ends with a twist. Unfortunately, unlike "The Sixth Sense," the twist isn't earned, and it betrays our investment to that point. On the other hand, I saw the twist in "The Sixth Sense" coming from a mile away, while I had no clue with "Unbreakable." That either means Shyamalan did a better job with it this time around, or that he slapped it in without justifying it. I think the latter.
It's a shame, because the film does deal with a fascinating issue: the inextricable linkage between good and evil, how one defines the other and how one needs the other to exist. He also does a good job illustrating this theme subtly, without hammering us. Pay particular attention to the occupations of the train wreck victims as they're read off, and also which characters we tend to see in mirrors or reflections and why. On that level, the film works. On a lot of others, it fails. It isn't worth the full price on a Saturday night. Maybe a discount matinee, but you'll do perfectly fine waiting to rent the DVD or video.
Shyamalan shows great promise both as a director and writer, but it feels like this film was rushed in the wake of his "write your own ticket" wave after "The Sixth Sense." If he takes his time with the next one, it could be dynamite. With "Unbreakable," all we get is a wet sparkler.