“First name, Mister. Last name, Glass.” —Mr. Glass
Today’s quick review: Glass. Brittle-boned mastermind Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson) has spent the last nineteen years in a psychiatric hospital. He finally gets some company when David Dunn (Bruce Willis), a vigilante with superhuman strength, and Kevin Crumb (James McAvoy), a serial killer with a split personality, are apprehended by the police. Together, the three men face radical treatment at the hands of Dr. Ellie Staple (Sarah Paulson).
Glass is a thriller from writer and director M. Night Shyamalan. Glass continues the stories of David Dunn, Elijah Price, and Kevin Crumb begun in two of Shyamalan’s other films, Unbreakable and Split. The movie weaves together the themes of its predecessors in a satisfying way, and backs them with passionate acting, sharp direction, and an unpredictable plot. However, its comic book fixation, dark tone, and peculiar ending may turn off some viewers.
Much like Unbreakable before it, Glass is a dramatic musing on the superhero genre. David has come to terms with his inexplicable abilities and uses them to patrol the streets of Philadelphia. Kevin still wrestles with the Beast, a savage personality that wants to cleanse the world of all but the damaged. And Elijah steps up to the plate as not just a sickly comic book enthusiast, but a criminal mastermind in his own right.
These three face a new challenge in the form of Ellie Staple, a psychiatrist who’s convinced that their extraordinary abilities are merely delusions of grandeur. The conflict cuts to the heart of the superhero genre and gives the movie the chance to dive deeper into Price’s hypothesis that comic books are exaggerated accounts of true stories. Glass turns the genre inside out in an attempt to see it what makes it tick.
Glass backs up its interesting themes with solid craftsmanship. The pacing is brisker than many of Shyamalan’s other movies, and the mash-up of characters and themes gives the movie plenty of content to work with. Jackson, Willis, and McAvoy all turn in capable performances, with McAvoy in particular showing off an incredible range. The direction is thoughtful, the plot unpredictable, and the soundtrack subtly stirring.
Glass does make some controversial choices. The focus on the psychological side of the story makes it feel like it’s keeping the superhero genre at arm’s length, though the places where it bursts through anyway are some of the film’s most satisfying moments. Some of the movie’s discussions of the genre are a little too on-the-nose to feel natural. And in true Shyamalan fashion, Glass packs major plot twists that are bound to be hit-or-miss.
Fans of M. Night Shyamalan, the grounded side of the superhero genre, or either Unbreakable or Split will want to give Glass a try. Its story, themes, and characters are all strong enough to make it a satisfying pick for the right viewer. Those who are unfamiliar with either Unbreakable or Split may want to get up to speed first, since Glass relies heavily on the backstory they provide. Those looking for a carefree adventure should look elsewhere.
For the film’s slower-paced predecessor that introduces David and Elijah, try Unbreakable. For the well-crafted thriller that introduces Kevin, try Split. For an upbeat family superhero movie that explores similar questions about the genre, try The Incredibles and The Incredibles 2. For a more action-oriented, fantasy-laden movie about an escape from a mental institution, try Sucker Punch.
7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for fascinating characters, well-developed themes, and robust execution.