<p>Lady in the Water </p>
<p>A film review by Scott Wood </p>
<p>For Critical-film.com </p>
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<p>Before I go into my review of “Lady in the Water,” I would like to explain my reactions to Shyamalan's previous work, as his cinema has elicited quite a passionate and diverse fandom, or hatred as the case may be, from the general public. Letting the reader know where I stand on his earlier films may make it easier to decipher how close in preference they are to me. </p>
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<p>The Sixth Sense </p>
<p>While watching it, I could ignore neither its director's craft, nor how much it annoyed me. I saw it with the surprise ruined, and a nasty disposition when it comes to people whispering on-screen. I didn't like it, but was interested in more from its director. </p>
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<p>Unbreakable </p>
<p>I thought at first, that Shyamalan was confused as to what tone he should take to what should have been a silly story, but I realize recently that “Unbreakable's” seriousness towards its subject matter may be its standout positive point, rather than its downfall. I have to see it again. </p>
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<p>Signs </p>
<p>One of the best films of its release year. Shyamalan's seemingly effortless perfection behind the camera worked beautifully for one of the most satisfying thrillers in recent memory. </p>
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<p>The Village </p>
<p>Started off well enough, but chose to anger its audience with pretentious social commentary, and the worst plot twist I may have ever seen. </p>
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<p>This brings us to “Lady in the Water,” which for some reason has an even nastier critical response than “The Village.” I fail to be able to figure out why this movie has angered so many people. It is not offensive in any way, not pretentious like “The Village,” and not at all angry or mean-spirited. I can see how a film like Paul Haggis' “Crash” can offend critics, because it treats you like an idiot. “Lady in the Water,” however is merely a lovely little story that, while guilty in being uneven, is innocent of any higher crime against its audience. </p>
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<p>I have to admit, I wasn't expecting the unevenness. M. Night Shyamalan has always been such a naturally skilled director, and “Lady in the Water” is easily his least technically sound picture to date. You would expect this from an earlier effort, but after “Signs” and “Unbreakable” I can only imagine the excuse. I have theorized that maybe because his newest film is more of a fantasy/comedy, perhaps Shyamalan is more comfortable within the confines of suspense, and finds taking his movies lightly to be a difficult task. I do not know, however, for this seems to be rather weak reasoning. Nevertheless, the comedy he uses in his latest effort ranges from mildly acceptable to excruciating, with an emphasis on the latter. There is one scene in particular with one character in particular that is so squirmingly bad, that it is almost impossible to watch. I won't reveal the specifics of this part, and if you have already seen this film, I assure you, we are thinking about the same scene/character. </p>
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<p>Enough with the negative critique, however, because I do not give this picture a negative rating. I recommend it, and not to be different or “cool,” but because I truly appreciated Shyamalan's ambition. Where “The Village” was disappointingly afraid of the supernatural, “Lady in the Water” is celebratory in its fantasy, and never allows any room for doubt that supernatural things are happening. It's rare that a filmmaker nowadays has the courage or more appropriately, the drive to make a picture like this. It is a children's story come to life, complete with all of its whimsy and fear. That the story is being lived out for adults may feel alienating to some, but not to me dammit, for I applaud it. “Lady in the Water” is a relentlessly strange and joyful experience, as long as you can allow your inner child to enjoy such an affair. </p>
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<p>The main reason I liked “Lady in the Water” is that I feel a personal resonance with the characters involved. The fantasy is barely questioned by its characters, because I believe that these are the type of people that want hidden secrets to exist in everyday life. The idea of being something important, of being “chosen” by a fate not from this world is a wonderful idea to them, and more importantly to me. For this reason, I can suspend my disbelief, and allow myself to overlook plot inaccuracies, for these are not details that prohibit that which was ultimately memorable for me. These are ideas that perhaps M. Night Shyamalan and I share, and perhaps one day hope to find in reality. For now, we have only films like “Lady in the Water.” </p>
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<p>(Three Stars) </p>
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