Village, The  (2004)

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Bryce Dallas Howard, Adrien Brody, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, Brendan Gleeson
Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Rating: PG-13

Distributor: Touchstone Pictures

Release Date: 07.30.04

Review Posted: 07.30.04

Spoilers: None

By Jon Bjorling

This “Village” Is Better Left Forgotten

Is it just me or has Mr. Shyamalan caught Carpenter-itis? For those who have never heard of this disease, Carpenter-itis is a disease of the ego in which a director who has had one or two really successful films feels compelled to place his name above the title of a mediocre film, hoping the name recognition will sell the film rather than the film’s own merits. Sadly though, The Village has few merits of which to speak. The film is nothing more than an easily predictable, two hour long Twilight Zone episode.

The story is this: A village that has sought isolation from the world sits at the edge of a forbidden forest. In this forest are creatures that the villagers do not speak of, but do not pose a direct threat to the village as the two have formed a truce. The monsters will not enter the village, and the humans will not enter the forest. However, after the death of a friend, Lucius (Joaquin Phoenix) feels compelled to venture through the forbidden forest to the towns and seek new medicines to prevent any more deaths. His intentions are pure, so the monsters will not attack him. His beliefs are later confirmed, when mentally retarded Noah (Adrien Brody) has been found venturing into the forest and returning without harm. However, before he can set out, the monsters begin to invade. 

The film’s concept is an engaging one. However, the execution of the concept is flawed. So flawed, in fact, I had the big twist figured out around five to ten minutes into the film. Not only that, but I never felt that the village was ever in any real danger from the monsters, even when the monsters are in town stalking their prey. The cast is varied. Adrien Brody and Bryce Dallas Howard (who plays the blind girl Ivy) are both well acted characters. Sadly, the remaining cast is wildly uneven. It’s understandable why, after seeing the film, but one wonders how the cast could have played it differently, in order to preserve the mystique.

In the film’s technique, the film is well crafted. It looks wonderful and sounds good. Shyamalan is a very good technical director; sadly he’s just presenting a twist and putting a film around it. A gimmick can only go so far, a film needs more than a good-looking production. Above all, it needs substance. 

In the end, The Village is not really worth it. It’s overly predicable, lacks energy, and lacks tension. Everything a thriller needs, this film lacks, and it’s a shame. Shyamalan needs to learn a new trick, or else he’ll fall into the next stage of Carpenter-itis, being forever trapped in a loop of mediocrity.

Film Rating: ê  (out of 4)

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