For a while, M. Night Shyamalan seemed to be slipping. The Sixth Sense, his breakout and still most-memorable film, vaulted him to immediate stardom. His next film, Unbreakable, was a decent outing but proved that the writer/producer wasn?t as unbreakable as the title indicated. And Signs, Shyamalan?s would-be sci-fiction film, was a disappointment altogether. But with The Village, which releases Tuesday on DVD, Shyamalan returns to his twisty ways in a film that shows not only his return to complex characters, but his ability to tell traditional stories in very untraditional ways.
The Village takes place in an early 20th-Century rural setting, with the townsfolk haunted by mysterious monsters called ?those we don?t speak of.? In their otherwise idyllic setting, the residents have what appears to be a perfect life. They?re entirely self-sufficient, free from intruders and bandits, have a functional system of town elders and are blessed with children who seldom want to see what lies beyond the town?s forested borders.
It?s within this context that Shyamalan returns to his love-story roots (The Sixth Sense had several amorous threads). The first is a tale of one man?s love for his community, when Joaquin Phoenix asks the elders? blessing to venture into the forest to seek medicine for ill townsfolk. The second is a story of the elders? love for their town, expressed in their willingness to do anything to keep their children safe from ?those we don?t speak of.? The third and most powerful, however, involves a unique love triangle between Phoenix?s character, a blind woman and a mentally retarded twenty-something who?s unable to deal with the feelings in his heart.
The way Shyamalan lets these stories unfold, he actually presents a film with two twists in one. Maybe that?s just his way of making up for the lack of a twist in Signs (or was the lack of a twist actually his ?twist??). Unlike Unbreakable, though, the twists in The Village, while only marginally believable, are so heartfelt that it?s easy to will them into believability.
This is a testament to the acting, which is top-notch throughout, as well as to the pacing and story. And fortunately for filmmaking buffs, the DVD of The Village lets viewers delve into both topics more in-depth. The first DVD bonus feature, ?Deconstructing The Village,? is the traditional behind-the-scenes/making-of special, complete with cast interviews and production notes. The deleted and extended scenes, however, are a special treat, because each is introduced by Shyamalan explaining why it was either cut short or cut altogether. Several of the scenes were clearly superfluous, but at least one added something to the film, so hearing the writer/producer?s explanation is rather intriguing.
?Bryce?s Diary,? the next DVD bonus, presents the narrated real-life diary of Bryce Dallas Howard, who plays the character of Ivy, the blind woman. In Bryce?s own words, the Diary takes viewers from the first days of production to the movie?s big-screen premiere, and the passages chosen are incredibly telling, both about the actress?s own experiences and the movie-making process.
After a serviceable but easily overlooked photo gallery, ?M. Night?s Home Movie? rounds out the DVD features. This short film, as it were, follows the precedent of Shyamalan?s previous DVDs in which he shares parts of his first, personal movies. On previous DVDs, Shyamalan has found a home movie that fits the tone of the corresponding film. With The Village, though, Shyamalan is forced to find a ?period piece,? which leads him to an old film that Shyamalan clearly made after watching the Indiana Jones films. Even if you?re not into watching a 12-year-old Shyamalan run around with a hat and whip, it?s at least entertaining to see that even the most recognized filmmakers today had modest, backyard roots.
And going back to roots is what sets The Village apart from Shyamalan?s recent, disappointing outings. Once again Shyamalan provides a unique twist, but more important, Shyamalan once again presents a movie in which the acting and story take precedence over special effects and big-name actors. The Village was a film not to be missed in 2004, but if you did, The Village?s DVD release this week is something moviegoers will most certainly not want to overlook.
— Jonas Allen
