Today’s quick review: The Village. The inhabitants of a rural, late-19th-century village live in fear of the carnivorous creatures who inhabit the woods around them. Lucius Hunt (Joaquin Phoenix), a quiet young man, wants nothing more than to marry Ivy Walker (Bryce Dallas Howard), a blind young woman. But when a villager falls ill, the elders must weigh Lucius’ dangerous proposal to cross the woods and retrieve medicine from the neighboring towns.
The Village is a mystery thriller from writer and director M. Night Shyamalan. Set in a rural village beset by terrifying creatures, the movie centers around the villagers’ decision to break their fragile truce with the creatures to save the life of one of their own. The Village features an engrossing and unpredictable plot, a capable cast, and excellent direction. The supporting cast includes Adrien Brody, Brendan Gleeson, and Sigourney Weaver.
The Village is a carefully assembled mystery. The film guides the viewer’s expectations every step of the way and sets up a number of clever revelations. The pieces of the puzzle seem eclectic at first: a young romance, fear of the outside world, small-town politics, creatures lurking in the woods, and countless details of life in the village. But almost everything in The Village has a purpose, and the movie rewards close viewing.
The downside is that The Village gambles heavily on its mystery. Those who dislike where the story goes will find that there is little to tie the rest of the movie together. The uncertain nature of the plot and its dramatic shifts in direction mean that the movie cannot make many promises to the audience. The audience is left to trust that The Village is actually going somewhere and that the smaller dramas and mysteries will pay off in the end.
Give The Village a shot when you’re in the mood for something suspenseful and cerebral. The combination of an engrossing plot, solid acting, and Shyamalan’s directorial skills make it a movie with plenty to offer. Still, its winding plot, disconnected puzzle pieces, and focus on small-town drama mean that it won’t click for everyone. For another mind-bending Shyamalan movie, check out Signs, Split, or Unbreakable.
6.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for a strong mystery and solid execution.