Film Colloquy: "The Village"

M. Night Shyamalan is the creator of The Sixth Sense, Signs, Unbreakable, and numerous other movies. But the movie I’m going to talk about today is his 2005 record breaking thriller The Village.

WHAT IT’S ABOUT

The story takes place in a small, rustic village in the middle of a woods. The people there live in terror of a haunting evil in the surrounding woodlands, until one day someone dares to challenge the dangers.

STORY QUALITY

This film’s storytelling is topnotch. Mystery, romance, danger, it includes everything I’d possibly want in a thriller. It has enough pump to get adrenaline flowing, and enough mystery to keep viewers guessing. This refreshingly original story is well-made and is one of my favorites from the mind of Shyamalan. It also has decent effects and filming, which is only a plus.

ACTING QUALITY

The acting in The Village is great. The cast includes Joaquin Phoenix, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sigourney Weaver and others, all with excellent performances. Some of the lines throughout the movie may come across as stiff at first, but the more you watch it the more normal and completely natural the lines seem in the characters’ old English speaking.

MUSIC SCORE

The music in this movie is wonderful. On behalf of the soundtrack alone The Village is a must-see. James Newton Howard did a fantastic job, and now I have the album on my writing playlist. I suggest watching a video of an orchestra playing it sometime. It sends chills through me every time.

PARENTAL WARNING

This movie is rated PG-13. I would not change this rating due to the violence. But there is no language or anything inappropriate. There is a scene with a kiss, but if you have ever watched a Hallmark movie then you don’t have anything to worry about. As far as understanding goes, I would probably suggest this movie for 14 or even 15+. It has an awesome storyline that takes a bit of brain work to completely grasp, and I’d hate for someone to miss it because of lack of understanding.

WATCH WORTHY?

Yes. I would definitely say this movie is worth the watch. Some movies out there are so pointless these days, leaving you feeling no different after watching it. The Village is not that kind of movie. It leaves you thinking about it the next day, and I would definitely say it’s watch-worthy. Is it worth watching again? Yes to that, too. I’ve already seen it three or four times, and love it more every viewing.

CONCLUSION

The Village is a great clean thriller. I wouldn’t watch it with anyone under 13, but it’s a film I’m proud to own in my collection.