Comments on: M. Nightly Retrospective: 'The Village'

By: Chad Greene

Chad Greene — Fri, 20 May 2011 12:44:31 +0000

My biggest grumble about the negative views of this movie are in the idea that it was intended to be a scary movie about monsters.

They complain that it wasn't scary.

The purpose of the movie was to show the simplicity of creating a society.

It was fascinating to imagine the possibilities of controlling an entire world and witnessing an example of this was beautifully enjoyable.

The feel of the movie was slightly out of place on purpose. Here we have lives of people who know only a single way of life and we get to explore their individuality within this world. The dialogue helps create this world. The dialogue was wonderful and it helped build the feel the creators of the village wanted.

The story was brilliant and the filming was amazing. It felt real.

The monsters were intentionally rediculous looking and it gave us a mirror to look at our own imaginary monsters.

The people in the town who grew up there had absolute fear and no reason not to believe. The absurd costumes allowed us to view the fragile line between what we fear and what it is that we fear.

I love this movie. My only complaint is that it was too short. It could have been a mini series and continued on with more stories.

I feel that this movie should be appreciated for its visual beauty, its language and music and for the creative uniqueness of its story.

By: bradbrevet

bradbrevet — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:58:01 +0000

DarkKnightFAN12 said: Being a Christian I am bias toward the fact that Graham regained his faith at the end so that helped me like this film

I can see how being a devote Christian would certainly make someone love Signs more than I did. I thought that part of the story was very well done. Overall, that film just didn't really do it for me. However, it is nice to see one more person liked Lady in the Water, I actually think that may be my favorite Night film.

By: DarkKnightFAN12

DarkKnightFAN12 — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:06:17 +0000

I love this movie. Here is my M. Night list in order: (Bear in mind that I like all of his films)
5-Lady in The Water= Liked it, found it very creative and thought the performances were great (it seems he is blessed as all his films contain great acting).
4-The Village=Well acted and I do kind of buy into the point that the dialogue would be forced even though it was a little goofy sometimes. ("Don't jostle about so").
3-Unbreakable=Once again great acting and an awesome story.
2-The Sixth Sense=I would say this is his best film without a doubt and Bruce Willis is just incredible as is, of course, young Mr. Osment. It is the quintessential ghost story and it would make Hitchcock proud.
1-Signs=LOVED this movie. I saw it twice in theatres and have watched it countless times on dvd. I was on the edge of my seat throught the entire film. Being a Christian I am bias toward the fact that Graham regained his faith at the end so that helped me like this film. I just loved the story, I thought it was visually stunning in a simple way, and the acting (Mel Gibson is amazing in this movie) is top notch once again. Sixth Sense is a better film I think, but this is the one I enjoy watching most.

By: bradbrevet

bradbrevet — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:37:51 +0000

swimfan said: watching all of night's movies, and know he wrote all of them, do you really think the dialogue was bad? it's funny that you mentioned "forced" because that's exactly what it's supposed to be.

You know, that's a good way to look at it, but they have lived in that village for so long that they have sons and daughters in their 20s. I mean, if they haven't grasped the language by that point they must really be struggling.

I think you bring up a good perspective, but I have to disagree. So yes, I think the dialogue was bad.

By: swimfan

swimfan — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:33:45 +0000

watching all of night's movies, and know he wrote all of them, do you really think the dialogue was bad? it's funny that you mentioned "forced" because that's exactly what it's supposed to be. after understanding the twist and my thoughts about the movie after the fact, the dialogue itself was one of those brilliant clues night had slapping us in the face the whole time. of course it's forced. they are pretending. they are trying to live in this world that doesn't really exist. william hurt is a great actor playing a bad one. this realization really made the movie come together for me.

By: IsItThursdayYet

IsItThursdayYet — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 02:43:16 +0000

I was unable to catch "The Village" in theatres, and the twist got ruined for me. As in, someone told it to me. So my first viewing of "The Village" was already ruined when I saw it. The twist just seemed so…obvious. But, like I said, it had already been told to me.
Nevertheless, something about "The Village" is very watchable. Maybe its the score and amazing photography and great acting like you mentioned. But I find myself completely engrossed in the film every time I pop it into the DVD player. Yes, its true that "The Village" is not M. Night's best film, but it's right up there in watchability factor. Not that I have any clue why. There goes M. Night's brilliance yet again…