Staying Power

Rating: 8/10 (13 June 2003)

While I was watching this movie I got irritated at the slow, ponderous style in which it was shot. I understood that Mr. Shyamalan wanted to take a subject normally rendered in four colors on newsprint and treat its character implications in a more serious manner, but I thought he was overcompensating with the super-slow, long single-take scenes. But I enjoyed the story, and the acting was wonderful so I went with it. When it ended I regarded it as being not terribly good, but having some interesting aspects.
I'm writing this the day after I saw it, and I realize now how affecting the film was. I now see it as a great film with a few minor pacing flaws. If you have the patience for it, the style of the film is hypnotic and it really enhances the emotional connection to the characters. This film has really stuck with me in ways I didn't expect.
Bruce Willis has done a lot of roles where he's cocky and swaggering, and those tend to overshadow his more serious work. I have enjoyed his performances for a long time, and I'll dare to say that he's not merely a movie star, he's one of our time's finest actors. He has great range and is willing to portray vulnerability, the effect of which is heightened by his normally confident smirkiness. He is also willing to take risks in the roles he accepts, balancing the big-budget popcorn movies with nice character work. His portrayal of the stoic, sad lead character in this film is understated and powerful.
Samuel L. Jackson is hit-or-miss for me. I think he's too content to skate by on persona. In some films it seems like he's barely learned his lines (xXx for example). Lately though, I've seen him in some roles that are more challenging (The Caveman's Valentine, The Red Violin) and I'm raising my opinion of him. I really enjoyed his performance in this movie.
Robin Wright Penn is outstanding. That's really no surprise.
If you've avoided seeing this movie because of the reviews it got when it was released, you should consider giving it a chance. Yes, you can expect it to be slow, but if you accept that going into it you may discover that it has some emotional depth and staying power.