The Village

I'd like to say two things about myself before starting this review. First of all, I almost always agree with critical ratings for movies. Second of all, I like to go into movies without knowing anything about them except their critical ratings and/or Oscar/Golden Globe performance. I watched The Village because of a friend's recommendation, knowing nothing about it or its director, M. Night Shyamalan. Halfway through the movie, I knew it was great. After it was over, I was certain it was one of my favorite movies ever. Much to my surprise, I found out later that it had mixed critical reviews at best. To this day, however, this is by far my favorite film of 2004. My theory is that too many people went into this movie knowing at least one of two things: the director of the movie and everything in the trailer. Shyamalan is known for making movies with silly twists and awful dialogue, so I think too many people failed to give this movie a fighting chance. And the trailer made this movie look like a cruddy horror movie. I certainly wouldn't have watched it after watching the trailer, and if I had liked what I saw in the trailer, the movie probably would have been disappointing. So to those who haven't seen it, know that this movie tells a love story. The setting of the movie does not make the movie. The plot twists (though very well done I think) do not make the movie. The suspense/mystery helps make the movie engaging, but does not make the movie. As it should be with any great movie, the characters make the movie, and the three main characters (acted superbly by Bryce Dallas Howard, Joaquin Phoenix, and Adrien Brody) are interesting, believable, and imperfect.

Have always found M Night Shyalaman a bit hit and miss unfortunately. Actually more miss than hit after the great Sixth Sense. I was however assured that this was definitely a hit and as I hadn’t previously seen it I thought I would give it a go given the great cast he had assembled. The build up is all fine but the payoff leaves you more than a little disappointed. What you’re expected to accept as fact is just too much and whilst it isn’t his worst you do feel he could do a lot better.

The crucial point of the M. Night Shyamalan movies is the twist. If done right like in the “The sixth Sense” or “Unbreakable” it is an amazing experience. Here it weakens the movie. I fully enjoyed the setting, premise, actors and story until the reveal aka trwist. To be fair the twist is not garbage and I see a bit of creativity in it. It just failed to convince me and a lot of the other audience. The story is set in the remote “village” “ Covington in approx 1897. The inhabitants life seemingly in peace but there are monsters inhabiting the surrounding forests. The people have made a pact with “Those we don’t speak of” how they call these. The events start to unfold when a man named Lucius is injured and his soon to be wife the blind Ivy wants to safe him but the only medicine is beyond the forest. I stop here to avoid spoilers. I like the atmospheric story and setting. It was intense, scary and immersive. However like I said the reveal / twist harmed the movie a lot. It feels forced or lets say like an idea that looks good on paper but fails in reality. It would be far better without it just keeping to the premise. The actors were excellently chosen. Bryce Dallas Howard as Ivy is amazingly good and fully convincing. Joaquin Phoenix, William Hurt, Adrien Brody, Sigourney Weaver and the other actors also deliver a really good performance. In this regard it is a really strong movie without a doubt. I also praise the sets, visuals and costumes. They improved the atmosphere and immersion. Overall this is a really good movie that could be in the 9-10/10 range without the harming twist. I still give a 6/10 because of the atmosphere, story up until the twist and great acting.

Yani filmin sunuş tarzı farklı olsa en azından ortalama bir yapım olabilirmiş ama bu haliyle ne yazık ki tam bir vakit kaybı.

There were some interesting shots that did not fit at all and some movement styles were out-of-place but overall I quite liked the look even with the grinding faults. Most of the time the sound wasn’t that interesting but in some scenes it sounded like nectar. The music was excellent to compliment the subtle and sexy mix. Oh dear oh dear what a bad story. If you trick the audience, they will revolt. A good film with an ending that ruins repeat viewings is a terrible movie. This is an average movie with an awful ending. There are some moments of suspense ruined by the memory of the ending. There are some interesting points that are not explored enough. The culture clash done well could have been fascinating. The acting was half fine and half dreadful. Technical adequacy and excellence mixed with storytelling hell.