My Thoughts on The Village (2004)
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- After reviewing Signs* last year, I decided to cover writer/director M. Night Shyamalan's follow-up film as well. This video does contain spoilers, since it's basically impossible to talk about The Village without discussing its twists. Hope you enjoy it!
Special thanks to the channel's supporters at ko-fi.com/weis... !
*Signs review: • Signs (2002) Movie Review
“If they’re wrong, then your twist was stupid….I liked mine better. And if they’re right, then your twist was predictable”
Very good take on twist endings. I’ve never thought of it that way. This is my favorite movie of all time but your analysis was very welcoming.
I love this movie, which is an unpopular view of mine among my friends. Hillary Hahn's violin is a haunting backdrop to this film. Bryce Dallas Howard just absolutely kills it in this role.
I love this movie and think it is an underappreciated masterpiece.
The problem is that it had to be marketed as a horror film in order for the twist to work. What we really get is a movie that examines the impulse to retreat from society foolishly thinking that by doing so we can create a utopia and avoid evil. The examination of these themes makes this film much more fascinating than if it had been a simple horror, and much more rewatchable than The Sixth Sense.
Wow, did your take on this movie totally mirror my own! I'm in total accord with the flaws you listed - the "oh come one!" twists, the irresponsibility of the elders to allow Ivy (I thought Howard was great in her role) to make the trip, etc, - as well as the strengths of the film - the overall atmosphere, the spookiness, and yeah a great score. I've also seen this film several times and have gone from disappointment on my first viewing to liking it more and more. Great review Jerome!
I actually love the concept of the twist at the end. I just feel like he could've given much better and MUCH more thought provoking reasons as to why the founders left society?.... Overall, I totally agree with you that it's a good movie but not a great movie. Keep up the great work and have a great rest of the weekend 👍📽️
My sister and I actually enjoyed this film when it first came out, quite a bit, in fact. I did have a problem with her not blowing the lid off the lies, but my sister had an interesting theory.
She said that she thought Ivy and Lucius would eventually reveal the truth. She thought that Ivy wanted to be sure he’d get the medicines he needed and once everything was on the mend, she’d tell him the truth and the two of them would give people the option of staying in the village or leaving.
I did enjoy your take on the messaging too. It shows you looked at more than the surface.
For myself, I thought there were a few scenes near the end that had been edited in out of sequence and would have made the revelations and twists much more effective.
This movie needs a director's cut!!
This is one of my favourite movies! The writing, I think, is beautiful. The score is amazing and memorable! The scene with Kevin simply sitting in his truck and reflecting on what just transpired is so powerful. Lucius Hunt is one of the best characters in a stand-alone movie. “I do not worry about what will happen. Only what needs to be done.”
I grant, the plot is not perfect, but it is by no means awful. The characters and the dialogue carry the movie for me.
fun review Jerome! cute headband too! I like what you said about noticing fabrics/textures, i keep an eye out for those kind of visuals/senses too- thank you!
That was a good one, I didn't see the M Night Shenanigans coming. After that I saw the one where people were running away from plants, I think.
I love The Village, I think it has excellent dialogue, and the score by James Newton Howard is incredible.
It's howard.
@@nilesclifford9704
Thank you, didn't mean to miss the w. Fixed.
Great insight in your review. I saw it when it first came out and liked it then and now.
I like your review. I did like this movie and I like the twists and reveals. To me those things made the movie much more than a simple "Village/monster" story. I remember how everyone was talking about it. I think It evoked emotions and feeling from the audience. Maybe that was the point. I recall at the time , how people wouldn't talk about the movie to someone who hadn't seen it yet. Last thing; there's an old movie: Witness for the Prosecution which had a major twist near the end. At the very end , an announcer asks the audience not to reveal the 'twist' to their friends, so new audiences can enjoy the movie.
I haven't seen THE VILLAGE yet, and I must admit that it's not at the tip of my watch list; if we run into each other, I'll watch it. Still, I got another great review from you, which is always fun.
I just discovered that I have seen this, years ago; I must have been distracted.
Thanks, Jerome. I never managed to resent the "lie told for your own protection". Good catch. I was probably drowning in delight over deducing the reveal before it happened. I was more intrigued by the series of events (told in flashback), which drove the founders to start this village. I am pleased to find that you see the social commentary in this story. My friends showed me this film, knowing that I am very careful what I watch. Follow-up research informed me of Shyamalan's reputation. (I might view Sixth Sense and Signs some day). I knew at once, the difficulty Shyamalan created for himself. No comparison is perfect, but it reminds me of the late entertainer, Andy Kauffman. Though leaning towards comedy, his real objective was to get a new rise out of every new audience. It was becoming evident that he was running out of ideas. His manager Bob Zmuda scolded him, "Whaddya' gonna do now ... scream fire in a crowded theater?" Mystery storytellers like Shyamalan and Hitchcock have taken up the exhausting task of perpetual novelty. Understanding their challenges, I'll take what I can get. You nailed this one. Good job.
I like 'The Village' and the plot twists are why I like it. The elders' reaction to their tragedies is pretty preposterous, but I just accept that in order to tell a good story. Their life long hoax is certainly misguided but people do those sorts of things in reality, and I didn't feel like the film was taking their side, or trying to make us agree with their decisions. I first saw this with my daughter when she was in high school. She picked up on the same thing you mentioned, which I hadn't considered: How is the blind girl to carry on with the rest of her life knowing this huge lie? Thank you for your thought provoking review. I was wondering how you were going to handle the plot twists. You can't really talk about this film without revealing spoilers.
Ah, a bold statement to make! I applaud your bravery. :D You make an excellent point: Shyamalan doesn't seem to condone or condemn the elders' decisions. He controls what we see and hear and is able to direct our attention certain ways, but where their choices are concerned, we're kind of left to react as we will. Also, I think the way the new information is presented places us in the same position as Ivy. We haven't been "living" the lie as long as she has, but we feel a similar sense of confusion, outrage, and detachment. We end up empathizing with her as she struggles to grasp the truth and make her way through the forest alone. As taken aback as I was by some of the twists (like what happens to Lucius--it always startles me no matter how many times I see the movie), I think it's significant that those events manage to be as jarring for us as they are for the characters.
@@Weiselberry Yes. I agree. And very well stated!
I enjoyed your detailed and conflicted review of The Village. Your review gave me a greater appreciation for the movie. I wonder if the attention to sound and texture is because the main character is blind? The Village doesn't have a happy ending, except in the sense the MC completed her mission and survived. The twists and ending leaves a lot to think about. The parents decide they are going to keep their children living in a secluded village. The story ends with the deception being passed on to the next generation. Is the MC accpting this because it's the only life she knows and/or loyalty to the elders? Is that an excuse for her behavior? Is it right to make an oath that will force an untold number of generations to live by? Are there parallels to this in our own lives? Maybe more than we might admit. Oddly, this movie seems a good candidate for a sequel. It's been 19 years. What is the situation for the next generation?
Ooh, I like this movie. It's nostalgic for me, but I don't disagree with most of your criticisms. For example, I too have grown way less tolerant of the idea of people lying to protect others, and your indictment of the Elders' choice to send Ivy instead of one of them was spot on.
Hey, Chubby Checker built his career on twists and it did him no harm! My dubious attempts at humour aside, for all its flaws and frustrating narrative quirks I also look upon The Village than most. The big twist(s) annoy me a lot less than the fact that the film ends just as it's getting interesting. As you say an epilogue would have been most appreciated. It gets by on its impeccable technical credentials and resilient thematic concerns. At the time I recall many critics interpreting it as an allegory for a post 9/11 social landscape wherein the powers that be take advantage of our worst fears in order to maintain a rogue social hierarchy. All for the sake of maintaining peace and stability in a world seemingly gone mad. That idea resonated with me back in 2004 and still does in spite of the script's overly mannered dialogue and weak ending.
The Village is primarily an allegory, which is why it has several improbable elements, because the allegorical message takes precedence over plot and characterization. The revelation to the blind girl that there is a world outside the Village that the elders are trying to keep out of their lives reflects how our media and governments lie to us about the world and construct false threats we are always supposed to fear. This tricks us into living our lives the way THEY want us to. The tragedy is when the blind girl learns the truth but chooses not to share it with the other youngsters because she believes that the Village is safer being cut off from the rest of the world. Her blindness is merely a symbol of her unwillingness to confront the truth when it is presented to her.
I don't have the desire to watch "The Village" (Shyamalan lost me with the maddening gaps of logic within "Signs"), but JW's synopsis did cause me to lean your direction. I've viewed the formation of a society to be on par with riding a bike. The addition of training wheels offers extra stability and reassurance while learning, but in order to achieve optimal stability and performance the wheels need to come off once proper techniques are developed.
One can argue that "The Village" didn't need to insert a religious tenant into the storyline because it was part of the allegory. Locking in hard and fast rules makes adjustment to new information / science more difficult. Anyone taught about the rules and belief in Santa Claus still feels the sting of being duped and betrayed by people whom they accepted as a reliable source of authority and knowledge. As you age the betrayal fades and is whitewashed as being an innocent white lie by society.
Perhaps a more interesting story to tell with "The Village" beats would be the actual existence of intelligent alien life being withheld and eradicated by world powers because it disrupts / damages the established narrative that has held a tentative and manageable position for the ruling class on earth?
I liked the movie. I particularly liked the psychological aspects. Of course, having watched the movie over 20 years ago, I'm sure there's a lot I've forgotten. Has it really been that long? Wow. The whole thing was a thought experiment in isolationism and bunker mentality - quite compelling. Enjoyed it.
Shyamalan has always been hit or miss for me, most misses than hits but I can see why several people like his movies.
I think one way to improve The Village would have been to hold off on showing revealing to Ivy that the elders are the ones to that did this in addition to it being modern times.
Long before the final twist, I couldn't help wondering, if no one was allowed to leave the village, where did their food, clothing and household items come from? Some even wore glasses so how did they get eye tests? These are bigger plot holes than the one in Citizen Kane.
I was surprised at the bad reviews The Village got at its release. I loved the film as much as the previous Night endeavors.
I actually liked this movie, a lot. It's true that marketing it as a horror movie wasn't a smart move, but once you accept that it isn't, it's quite enjoyable.
By the way, I know it might not be your thing but, have you considered watching the TV series Black Sails? It's meant to be a prequel of Treasure Island, about 20 years prior to the events in Stevenson's novel, but it mixes its fictional characters with real-life pirate figures and historical events. The story-telling is one of the best I've ever got to experience, if not the best. The dialogs are incredible, it's as if you were reading a XVIII-century novel all throughout. Plus the characters are very interesting and well-developed. The series is a master piece, honestly. If you ever happen to give a go to all 4 seasons, I would love to hear your analysis and thoughts as it has tons of things to discuss.
"The Village" is definitely a flawed movie, but also worth the watch I feel like. I found it entertaining, sometimes intriguing, and to be honest I didn't mind the twist at the end.
I've never seen this movie. Despite the less than stellar review I am now really curious and eager to check it out.
Oh, I do recommend giving it a watch! It has definite strengths and I've always been able to enjoy it, despite its flaws and disappointments.
A really good review of this movie! I haven’t seen it in a while and I remember my first viewing. However, I am more inclined to give it another watch.
I’m very happy to have found this channel and now listen to your reviews on my drive home. Hope you have a pleasant day!
Thank you! I'm glad my videos can help make your drive a little more fun. Enjoy your week!
I remember when this movie first came out. There was a small video documentary about it on TV before the movie came out. It was a behind the scene doc. They made it seem like M Night Shyamalan has some super natural powers or something like that. I don't think many people knew this thing came out.
Great idea for a video, I really need to give this movie a second look. So many aspects deserve praise, such as the amazing score and performances. I never had much of an issue with the twist
I have very conflicted feelings about The Village.The question that I pose to myself about this film and others is.
Do I have the right to be critical if a story goes down a pathway that I find unsatisfying to what I was expecting?
Maybe not.But I can't help feeling what I feel.This is something I faced recently with Halloween Ends.
The early parts of The Village create a strong atmosphere of delicious dread and fearful suspense.That is so effective.
Then we find out the monster is a guy in a suit(like in the old movies).I didn't realize I was watching a Scooby-Doo episode.
I want my monsters to be real.This is a thoughtful premise.A metaphor for how authorities create imaginary threats
to keep the population subservient.The film reflects the time in which it was made.
The getting the medicine part reminds me of a Twilight Zone episode in season 2 called "A hundred yards over the rim."
Although that story has a more fantasy time travel explanation.
Thank you for expressing some thoughts that I had never really considered.This has led me to realize that the
mechanics of The Village plot may not bear close scrutiny.
I just want to put it out there that I like Lady in the Water 2006.Despite the cringey dialogue and convoluted mythology.
I know this is a minority opinion.
Have you ever seen Shyamalan's second film Wide Awake 1998?It is very different to what he did afterwards.
A drama that shares some themes with Signs.
Got to go.I can hear a knock at the cabin.Thank you.
Nice review and insights.For me this film was like a long Twilight Zone movie
Hi there! I started this review...but then you mentioned spoiler...but I didn't stop in time haha. Oh well. Lol, This movie seems to have a nice "Halloween" atmosphere!
Okay...now I couldn't just stop watching your review...so I said oh well...and kept watching it. Sounds like maybe ai am not missing much lol
I don't know if I would get around to watching it.
Come to think of it, I still haven't seen The Sixth Sense. Haha
I hope you are having a blessed day!
Today is National Hugging Day so for anyone who needs one, I am sending a virtual hug! Remember you matter! 🫂
Hello, i will say this, i really had mixed reception about this film as well. The film had potential to be a great film but it really underdelivered with it's concept and the infamous "twists" is laughable at best which really rubbed the viewers the wrong way.
This really unfortunately sets Shyamalan into a dork age as most of his follow ups have been mediocre at best, critically. He did recovered recently, but let's see he can continue on it. Great review!
I admit it…I love this movie (pausing for side eyes and awkward stares) I will go through stages where I will watch it once a week. I think for me it’s the visual along with the musical/audio experience that draws me in. I like the simple and direct speech. When the elders are talking about not skipping The Flight of the Birds and they all look at Edward Walker and he straight up says Don’t look at me, I’m not running this meeting, well I just really like that bluntness. I really enjoy the delicate love story between Ivy and Lucius. I personally think the whole part about the elders not going back is they are approaching promises like they did back in those days. I think of Elinor in Sense and Sensibility never revealing Lucy’s secret because she had made a promise and had to stick to it. I say this knowing there is a Big, BIG difference between who’s engaged to who (whom?) and someone life, but I honestly believe they felt it was impossible for them to break it.
Having said all of that, I am driven absolutely Beside Myself by the fact of the major overlooked plot hole (for me anyway.) This community is not sustainable. They would HAVE to expand the boarders eventually for firewood, new houses, pasturing. And where are they getting the materials for new houses (you know a window will be broken eventually!) And just how do they plan to maintain the population? There is not a large enough population to maintain a healthy gene pool. Those are just some of my big issues.
So yeah, love it, but also have quite a few questions and plot hole problems.
Side Note: have ever done or plan to do a review of The Shop Around the Corner?
Great point about the plot hole! I've wondered if they might have had some kind of secret arrangement with the "wildlife preserve" company to obtain materials they just can't make in the village. If Mr. Walker had foresight enough (and money enough) to seal off the property and engage a (very) long-term security/surveillance detail, I would think he'd also have planned for that. And that gene pool issue bothers me too! Based on the photograph and the number of elders, there weren't that many founding couples, and it seems Mrs. Hunt never remarried. So while we see quite a few kids running around, I'm not sure how many of them come from different families. Sooner or later they're going to have a problem. All the more reason to get out of there!
I've seen The Shop Around the Corner, but I haven't ever talked about it besides a possible passing reference. I don't have plans to do so right now, but it's a good movie, so it could come up someday. I actually rewatched one of Stewart and Sullavan's other films together, The Mortal Storm, a couple weeks ago.
@@Weiselberry I had thought that too, that there has to be some sort of delivery system worked out between him, the security and maybe even the doctors/counselors at the grief center. There has to be some people on the outside aware of where they are right??
Ohh, and that was supposed to say pausing for the usual side eyes and awkward stares. I didn’t think that you or anyone watching your videos or commenting would side eye me, I’m just used to it at this point when I say I like this movie. I watched this movie with my husband (then boyfriend) in 2006 and he still does not understand why I like this movie. Lots to like, but lots to make you say how and Why!!
Agreed. If the village requires deliveries of manufactured supplies from the outside, it isn't plausible that it wouldn't also have easy access to modern medicine, considering that the elders are all getting older and are likely to be suffering from chronic conditions (hypertension, diabetes etc.). Even the Amish will go to a trained doctor and/or hospital when they get sick, so it's hard to believe that these people are eager to die needlessly before their time, doubled over in pain. But beyond that, it's a great movie!
@@Weiselberrythe village reminds me of 2 hour episodes of scooby doo because of these monsters.
When I saw this movie I knew nothing about it beforehand (or the director). I found it in a box full of DVDs while I was cat sitting for my mum. I just liked the movie title and the picture on the cover so I chose that one to watch first. Overall I enjoyed the movie and it turned out to be the best of the bunch from the box. From the beginning the Amish-like vibe appealed to me, and I loved the rich colours of the cloth and general textures.
Regarding the first reveal~ I remember being pleased that it didn't go as expected at that point. I'd say that was even the most satisfying part of the movie for me because it suddenly added interest and made me wonder where the story could go next. So I remember feeling differently about that reveal. I only saw the movie once and it was a long time ago. You've raised some very good points about that part in your review and have also whet my appetite for seeing the movie again. I'm wondering how I will feel about it all now with a second viewing.
I'd forgotten about the final epilogue part. That reminds me of the ending of the Japanese movie Woman of the Dunes (aka: Woman in the Dunes). Similar sentiment in a round about way.
"if a pig and a porcupine had a giant baby..." lol. That's a sentence I never would have thought I'd hear!
I've been meaning to watch it again and will so soon, having only seen it once years ago and like so many others with mixed feelings. I always feel with Shyamalan's movies, that he's afraid to make them too scary and horror-like so they always end up as an odd mix and visually looking more European than American. That's not a bad thing, just sends confusing signals to mainstream American audiences more accustomed to thrills rather than mood pieces save for say maybe a John Carpenter. I get Children of the Corn (1984) vibes here as well as the more recent The New Daughter (2009) with Kevin Costner, two movies a lot of people seem divided on but I like them both, the latter like The Village also a nature horror story using far edges of the frame to introduce its monsters. Aesthetically, it's looking the usual 2000s post-production nonsense of modern films but it builds its atmosphere very well, I thought.
I remember enjoying, The Village when I saw it, but then again I was never sold on it being a period movie.
I'm not saying I guessed the twist intentionally, it was sort of an accident. I remember the first time seeing the trailer for the movie, I was caught up in some teenage drama, which I can't remember, but I was busy thinking about that and not the previews for upcoming films. When my attention returned to the trailer, my first thought was, Hmph, I wonder why all these modern-day people are dressed like they're from the past? I must have missed something at the beginning of the trailer. It wasn't until I started seeing the commercials that I realized they were from the past and I had misunderstood the whole thing. So went that particular reveal happened I felt proud having somehow guessed the surprise.
Hello, J. I admire your willingness to give this one several viewings. One was enough for me though; I definitely felt hornswoggled and made a mental note not to see any of M's movies again. (I did make an exception for Signs.) It all makes me wonder about success and how it might go to your head. I'm guessing about 10 people asked the director in mid-filming, "Are you sure you want to do this?" and he waved everyone off. I can't recall your review of The Visit but I may have to see that one too. Thanks for your detailed and thoughtful take on this film, enjoy your Sunday.
In full disclosure, my mom was on a bit of a Joaquin Phoenix kick at the time, so that might have had something to do with it. :) That, and I think we both hoped to gain a better understanding of the movie or pick up on something we missed. I'm not sure we did, but I do feel I appreciate the film more in general than I would have if I'd just seen it the once. That first time was pretty frustrating.
There is a making-of featurette that came out with the movie; I saw it a long time ago, so I barely remember it, but I do recall it being kind of illuminating with regard to Shyamalan's thought process. He's definitely a director who has had more liberty to do his own thing than some, for better or worse. I'm not sure his main purpose with The Village story would have sustained much intervention, but I certainly think some of his movies would have been better if someone had persuaded him to change a few things.
I don't think I've done a mini review of The Visit, but I have mentioned briefly what I thought of it in discussions of later Shyamalan films. Really disturbing--that's my opinion in a nutshell, haha. Much more disturbing movies exist, but there were images in The Visit that just seared themselves into my brain. Even now, I get creeped out if I think about it when I'm trying to fall asleep, and I saw it back in 2016! It was a good film in a manner of speaking, but since I don't ever want to put myself through it again, I have a hard time encouraging someone else to have the experience. It's up to you. :)
Inspiring me to watch movies!
We went to a theater to see this movie. It's true it did not live up to the horror-hype.
Overall I liked it. I also found the cinematography very well done, and the stilted manner of speech wasn't too much of a distraction for me. The discovery that the "monsters" were a fiction created by the adults was, as they say, quite a jarring twist and one that did reduce my enjoyment of the movie. But, having said that, at least the rest of the movie managed to pull the plot derailment back on track and present a reasonably coherent conclusion. The motivation of the elders is misguided from any angle, but it can be understood (as a parent) how they arrived at that decision. Kinda sorta.
I never made a point of watching this film again. I did catch the last half of it on TV not very long ago, and I watched it only because I'd forgotten exactly how the movie ended. I agree there were many loose ends that should have been tied off. Like you I think this movie is worth a watch . . . especially now as we are years away from the Horror-Hype. People don't have as many preconceived notions and can perhaps accept it on its own merits.
Thank you for another great review! 🙂
A similar movie, called "1br" is about a woman joining a apt complex with some disturbing rules.
Thanks for this neat review!
Thank you for sharing this video. I agree that this is sort of the "Tale of Two Movies" Prior to the plot twists the movie is beautiful and intriguing. After the twists particularly the reveal of it actually being the present the movie becomes confusing at best and insulting at worst. I really get frustrated not by the plot twists but by the elder's baffling choices. I normally watch this movie to a certain point, and yes that point is the big reveal. And then I stop. I know the ending and I either just accept that or sometimes I even create a pretend ending.
But after hearing your interpretation that the underlying issue of hiding from the truth is the real plot of the movie definitely makes me consider this movie in a different light. I want to give the movie another viewing as a whole thanks to your review. Well done!
Also I vote for a Shyamalan-athon! Just kidding
I'm glad that M Night has distanced himself from being the "twist" director, it means audiences don't spend the whole movie with "what's the twist going to be?" and let audiences just get lost in it. Split, the Visit, and even Devil were all enjoyable. Here's hoping Knock at the Cabin can match the book. Maybe one day he'll be able to make up for what he did to Avatar...lol
I hate to be that guy but Devil isn’t an M. Night movie.
@@michaelmacias8 Hate to break it to you but M Night both wrote and produced Devil. His name is the only one on the movie posters.
@@Fribee83 he wrote the original story. But not the screenplay. But be that as it May it doesn’t matter because he’s not the Director. When you’re talking about someone’s films it usually refers to the films they directed. Yes his name is plastered all over the advertisements for Devil but that’s because the studio want to trick the average audience to go see this movie.
@@michaelmacias8 So rather than admit that you were wrong, you want to redefine what's being talked about? Whatever works, man.
@@Fribee83 I didn’t redefine anything that’s the way it is. So if we were talking about John Erick Dowdle films (the director of Devil) would you count Devil?
Didn't They make fun of this Movie in Scary Movie 3?
What makes this film a masterpiece is that if you think you know what the twist is you weren’t paying attention to the movie.
Great review!
I think the aspects of the film which seem problematic and/or implausible (i.e. many of the decisions the adults make) are the result of storytelling with an emphasis on an idea over and in spite of the oft repeated advice of emphasizing the characters. My impression is that much of Shyamalan's work is idea driven over character driven. The one Shyamalan film that I think does a really good job of being character driven is the quirky "Lady in the Water"', also starring Bryce Dallas Howard. Paul Giamatti is really good in that one.
But I liked The Village and I think the problems of the film are largely due to Shyamalan's developing the basic idea of, say, a sheltered life of fear and pessimism and naive idealism in contrast to a dangerous life of engaging the real world for which you need courage and hope. The different life experiences of the two main generations, parents and children, works along those lines too. It toys with a distinction between innocence and ignorance. Taking this in mind, I tend to give some liberties to the problematic aspects and suspend my criticisms, and I come to find I really enjoy the film.
I don't think I ever saw this. I'm going to get it, have a watch and come back to your review. The sheer number of high profile actors makes it worth a watch I think, although I am aware that actors can pile on to a project when the director's star happens to be riding high.
Two things I wanted to ask you. I watched "Titane", a French film written and directed by Julia Ducournau in 2021 last week with my son. It's seriously weird, but we enjoyed it. I think part of the reason I enjoyed it was because unlike so many modern films, where you can predict the entire plot within the first 10 minutes, you could not possibly predict what's going to happen in the next scene in Titane. :) I'd love to see you review it, but I fully realise that it may not be the kind of movie you review for this platform.
The other think is, have you read any of Iain M. Banks books? And if so, what did you think of them?
OK, three things... :) Just finished the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. I loved them. She's a great writer. Have you read them yet and if not, why not?
I love Iain M. Banks!!
I do think Shyamalan's spike in popularity at the time had a lot to do with so many big names coming on board. But while some of them didn't get a lot of screen time, I don't feel their talent was wasted.
I have heard of Titane. It's not a movie I'm interested in watching, but hey, I appreciate your asking. I think I've heard of Iain M. Banks, but I haven't read anything by him. And I did read the first Murderbot book, but I didn't care much for it and chose not to continue on with the series. Sorry! I guess we're 0 for 3.
@@Weiselberry I just finished watching the movie and I enjoyed it. Your review was pretty much spot on. The acting was first class. I loved some of the vignettes, like the brother who takes drastic action when he perceives a threat to his relationship with his beloved sister. I saw the main "twist" coming after about 10 minutes. I thought of them as being something like the Amish, but a more isolated community.
There were a few interesting themes going on there I think. When we have children, we give hostages to fate. And as we know, fate can be a fickle b***h. You can cover your children in cotton wool in an effort to protect them from reality or you can teach them about the world, send them out into it, and hope for the best.
Your brain would probably thank you for not watching Titane, so don't worry about that one. I have tried several times to infect people with Iain M. Banks by lending, and later just giving, his books to them. None have taken. I could probably infect people with Monkey Pox quicker than I could infect them with Iain M. Banks. :)
I love Murderbot!
This film has me question the whole concept of why someone would close themselves off from society like that and live a lifestyle that is reminiscent of an anabaptist community without having any religious motivation. being tragically traumatized by society specifically having a major loss due to how society is not a reason to close yourself off from it it's a reason to change it for the better
I know that The Village is just A Movie but that makes it nearly impossible to want to trust Anyone in real Life when Someone does The I lied but it was to protect You
I liked it. I think it says things about us as human beings, that we really, as human beings don't actually want to address. Just my thought. Three stars, the ending makes it 3 and a half Stars.
Signs is so much better than the Village. The Village has some decent ideas but there's a few too many plot coincidences. My biggest beef with this film is Bryce Dallas Howard's character (she's become a great director). While her motives are good, the fact that the village would allow her to go alone into the dangerous world was a bit hard to believe. I'd have had someone go with her who gets... well, you know... which adds more tension and fear. Also it's implied they previously killed some of the kids or people who didn't obey their rules. The film has a surprisingly good film score. Many thanks Jerome. I hope you and your family have a wonderful day. I viewed part of this film as an agreed upon experiment by the adults that got way out of line. His next film, The Happening, was the one that really damaged his career. While the world is wicked there are many wonders which would never been witnessed if one shuts it out. It's the ignorance is bliss which it isn't. There's a very old quote about it's better to have loved and lost rather than to have not known love at all. I sometimes question that as never knowing love protects one from the pain it can bring. I thought there was a news paper clipping coda at the end but I could be mistaken. The other question would be Ivy's blindness. Could it have been prevented or cured with medical treatment? Certainly her quality of life could have been improved. It's a disturbing film. Howard had a falling out with Peter Jackson over him rejecting his King Kong score, which I'd have loved to have heard. Howard's Lord of the Rings score is brilliant and I break the soundtrack out to give it a listen somewhat often. Shamalanathon! The Happening and the Last Air Bender! lol I kid. :)
The problem with the twist at the end is that it's totally unrealistic and that destroys the whole film. Even a no fly zone couldn't keep it secret, mistakes are made all of the time, plus even with a large no fly zone you would still hear things in the distance. Outsiders would make up Roswell kind conspiracy theories and try to investigate, the young generation inside the village would make weapons and try to kill the beast, etc, etc.
Lol me and the wife have been on a Shyamalan kick, we didn't finish it but we were just watching this earlier. I like the twist in this one!
Going to watch this tonight. From what I've seen of this director, he seems to be good at making movies, not so good at writing stories...
I will watch a movie and think this could have been great if a small rework here or there..
The Village that summer of 04’ had the potential to become one of the best horror installments. But it was a complete disappointment. I was really looking forward to it and all the hype was gone. But Bryce Dallas Howard however, was incredible due to her acting!
I thought this movie was a nice effort . If you don't think about the plausibility of the plot, you can enjoy it as the actors, cinematography and score which are all very good. I thought too the reason why the elders left society was understandable. But the way they went about keeping the group on the grounds and in the dark with pretend monsters was kind of dumb.
Also, because I worked with the blind I found it a bit ridiculous to think a blind person could navigate a whole big unfamiliar forest. I mean her dad could have gone with her up to the fence to the outside world without breaking his vow, right? But I guess it was more dramatic for the movie to have a blind girl find her way and back again though a big forest full of trees and pits. A guide dog would have been nice.
The ending was way too abrupt. I want to know what happened after she returns. Does Lucius make it? Will Ivy share the secret with Lucius if he gets well? Will everyone rethink this Village? How is the guy who saw her and gave her the meds not going to talk? Too many holes in the end. This was a surprise as we have good closures in his previous movies.
Is this the best M. Night Shyamalan movie? Probably not, but even Hitchcock had some clunkers. Personally, this was not a clunker to me because I enjoyed the performances, the ending, with no resolution, not so much. Really glad to have your take on it.
This was the film that made me sweat off anything by this director / creator. I disliked the e film for all the points you mentioned. The characters didn’t learn a thing , and hurt everyone , although in a different manner , just as they had been hurt . Ms. Howard’s character may be the most egregious, given all she learned . I guessed the films ending 15-20 minutes into the film. I can appreciate artistically oriented films , including those that attempt breaking cliches , but this film really was awful ….. it attempted one too many go rounds with “cute “ snap / twist endings . I haven’t seen it since it was released . I can’t believe nearly 20 years have gone by though .
Very cool , thoughtful and informative review !!!!
Thanks !
Well I guess now We know where The Creators of The Saw Franchise got Their idea for Pig Head
The unsatisfying resolution of the Village staying intact is one piece of evidence to support the conclusion that the story was plagiarized. If Shyamalan knew that he needed to do a 180 from the book ending just for the sake of differentiating it, then it makes sense why the result would have been an ending that feels sloppy and disjointed.
I don't remember this Movie very well I have only seen it once and I don't remember liking it very well
Now I want to:
1) POTENTIALLY give this anothrr view. I have seen it once, maybe year or 2 after its release
2) Definitely revisit the score. For this amd Signs.
I wholeheartedly support giving both scores a listen. The Signs soundtrack seems to be pretty rare, but I know The Village is on Spotify. As for watching the movie again, well, that's up to you. :)
I watched this movie last year for Sigourney Weaver (one of my favorite actresses ) and for Bryce Dallas Howard. I don't really remember much about it but I do remember not liking it. 🤷♀️🤷♀️
On a side note: do you think you'll be covering C.S. Lewis and the Narnia stories both books and movies sometime soon?
Fair enough! :)
I don't currently have plans to talk about anything Narnia-related, no. I've read the series (twice), seen a clunky old version of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and seen the first two films in the incomplete series that was made about a decade ago. I did talk about the books once in a video where I showed a Narnia pop-up book I own. It's an old video, so you may or may not have seen it a long time ago, but here's a link if you're interested: ruclips.net/video/Yg_TOkSdKxM/видео.html
@@Weiselberry Thank you very much for getting back to me, I appreciate it! 💖 And thank you for the link!
@@ClassicswithCourtney You're welcome! :)
8:01 we are the monsters, humans that's the message
Suggest your read (if you haven't already) House of Leaves the debut novel by American author Mark Z. Danielewski, published in March 2000 by Pantheon Books. It's odd, huge and will leave you dazed and confused for about 3 years.
So in other words The real Monsters were Us Humans no offense to Anyone on this Channel in real Life
As Christians, we sometimes cocoon ourselves in our faith, our customs/ jargon, and build a barrier between ourselves and the world we're supposed to evangelize; Shamalan (sp?) may have been commenting on this.
This picture scared the hell out of me when I was a kid!
The creatures remind me of a 1950's film with a similar twist, CURUCU, BEAST OF THE AMAZON.
Still loving. Your show 10/10
Yeah, m. Night did feel like he was the twist guy, that's how I remember him as a lad, even got disappointed when I watched his later movies to see he's dropped the twists for the most part(see OLD)
Very good actors but, for me, The Village is a frustrating movie. No planes were ever seen? No tetanus, cholera or medical emergencies in 30 years, then send the blind girl for medication? Your review caught some of my frustration with this story. They gave up indoor plumbing for an outhouse! The Village reminded me of a badly done Outer Limits episode.
I will say this in its defense: Shyamalan's cameo character says something to Kevin about the people who own that land paying to ensure no planes fly overhead. And when Lucius makes his first request to leave the village, he cites his sorrow over seeing so many people (including the boy they just buried) succumb to illness; he wants to get medicine so that perhaps they can save lives. I think one of the elders also says something about how they've each lost someone as a consequence of their decision to live that way. But your point is still absolutely valid! I didn't even think about the plumbing issue, for one thing. I don't know how they're keeping water clean or dealing with inevitable accidents. And I don't know how they could bear to let someone die from an infection or blood loss or a sickness, knowing salvation is a day's walk away. I wouldn't be able to live with myself.
@@Weiselberry Like salt on a paper cut, that just makes it worse! The Elders bribed the surrounding community, the FAA and maybe NASA (satellites can be seen at night) so they could experiment on their children. I enjoyed the movie until the revelation it wasn't a supernatural horror, sci-fi or fantasy film. The twist was great although it created some head scratching moments (sending the blind girl back over the wall). I've watched it twice and forgot about Shyamalan's characters' comments. Maybe Shyamalan wanted Plato's Allegory with a blind person leaving the cave? The Village is very unique as a movie, like Gaslight on a Village-like scale. Love your reviews, observations and the behind the scenes info!
@@duleybraza4558 Haha, yes, I suppose it does! Yikes. Yes, I've seen it suggested other places that Shyamalan was making his own take on Plato's cave, but I don't know if was something he actually had in mind or not. Thanks, and thank you for adding some great observations to the discussion!
My feelings about this film are in line with yours I think, I like it although I’m aware of it’s faults, it has interesting ideas and it takes you on some interesting journeys but the destinations are somewhat unsatisfying, I’ve seen a lot of films I’ve enjoyed while watching but can’t remember a lot about them afterwards, I remember a lot about The Village, setting, characters, score and it’s story, it can be aggravating though and a bit silly, character motivations and some of the films plot are nonsensical and illogical but I like it because I do find it interesting, I was also disappointed that it wasn’t an outright monster film but I was open to seeing where it would lead, unfortunately it lead to a blind girl having to go on a mission she found terrifying to a fence after some really bad and selfish parenting. I feel It ask’s interesting questions but the answers it provides are not very good. I do still look at the film in a positive light, I like Ivy and Lucius and I like the setting and it’s palette, it feels like an Autumn film, i also like some of its ideas but not their execution, I watched a BBC documentary series a few years back following some modern families trying to live the lives of pilgrim settlers, it was fascinating, it made me think about The Village when watching because their way of speaking didn’t go all funny lol, later series followed families as they tried to live like those during WW1 and WW2. I’d take a divisive film like The Village with many problems if i find it interesting over a popular film that’s not interesting at all or memorable. Another brilliant review from a terrific reviewer, always great to hear your thoughts and insights.
~ Thank you Ms Weiselberry ~
Haha, yes, better to be provoking than completely bland if it'll make people remember you! :) I think you're right that the film, or at least the second half, is set in autumn. I believe there's a line of dialogue that indicates what month it is... but I can't remember now what that line was! It sure seems fallish, with the leaves and the bare trees, the cool night air (you can see the actors' breath!), Judy Greer's little ruff thing, and the icy-looking rain that sticks to the trees in the woods. Definitely a fitting movie for that season!
@@Weiselberry I thought of another reason I’m a bit forgiving of the films story, wanting to hide away from the world and anything that may remind you of the great pain you’ve experienced and the possibility of more is something I understand, when my brother passed away, my friend too I shut down, there were months when I didn’t even watch any films or TV shows, didn’t even read, my family and i would sit in silence with the occasional witty story about my brother being said followed by some chuckles and back to silence again, it’s like we decided the world didn’t exist because it wouldn’t be the same world anymore anyway, we didn’t create a Village to hide away in but sort of did in our minds, If someone had asked me if I wanted to go away and live in a Village I would’ve considered it, well up until I discovered it wouldn’t have access to RUclips and the Jerome Weiselberry channel, then the answer would be NO! Lol, at the time your channel really helped me stay connected to stuff I loved, I couldn’t bring myself to watch or read anything but watching your videos when I found the strength to do so helped me stay connected to my love of this stuff in a way, first thing I watched, we watched as a family was Once Upon a Time, weird! It wouldn’t normally be something I’d be interested in seeing but I was in a shop and heard on the radio that an Irish guy was playing Peter Pan in a show called Once Upon a Time, a couple of nights later my family and I were sitting around doing our usual miserable thing when out of the blue I said let’s try Once Upon a Time, I thought it’s a fairy tale show, I’m sure it has to be an easy watch with no harsh real world realities attached, strangely everyone agreed, I thought watching it might keep their minds too busy to think sad thoughts and perhaps they felt because It was my recommendation that it may help me, we binged the series in a couple of weeks and it did help things get back to normal, it was like a barrier that needed crossing before it was acceptable to engage again, it’s like there was a guilt of being entertained when our minds should be on my brother at all times, I guess it’s a part of grief. I’ll always think fondly of that odd fairy tale show I wouldn’t have normally watched for helping me leave the Village in my mind, and of course the Jerome Weiselberry channel. “ icy-looking rain that sticks to the trees in the woods” that’s so descriptive, so visual, it’s great! Can’t beat Autumn, or Fall for you Yanks lol
~ Thank you again Ms Weiselberry ~
@@bartolomeuomacduibheamhnad6855 It is all so perfectly understandable that you and your family would react that way after such a loss. And your frank explanation (which I so appreciate) really reiterates the importance that bereavement has on the story and how their losses (and fear of it happening again) motivates the elders here. I think perhaps that only people like yourself who have unfortunately been through something like that are able to understand how those characters could be so distraught that they'd choose this life and stick with it for so long, despite the costs. Grief is one of those things that we all experience at some time or another, yet we all process it differently. Sometimes it takes a long time, and sometimes it's a very extreme thing. It is funny, the unexpected things that can help pull us out of it. I'm just glad you are doing okay, and I hope you and your family continue to heal together.
@@Weiselberry Thank you so much for your words they’re very kind and thoughtful. My family and I are coping much better, all you can do is try to go on and take the great memories of your loved one with you. :)
I would love it if you would review "the house of yes".
Its one of my favourites. Though be warned though filmed like a play, its not for everyone and can be seen as eh.... I want to say.. Controversial? Lol
I think the off beat humor and performances of the actors more than make up for it though IMHO.
Another would be hitchcocks "rope"... Now theres one you could really delve into
Love your channel by the way 😘😀
I remember this movie I was not a fan of the twist at the end.
A Question for `Jerome`. Have you ever seen a `Carry On` film?
It was a one trick pony of a movie, and once that illusion was removed the movie fell flat.
A ruling elite choosing to do whatever they deem necessary to preserve their own status and sense of moral superiority in their enclosed, self-indulgent fantasy world? Even at the expense of their own children's lives? Sadly , THAT rings true. I had hoped that the heroine would return at the end of the movie,like the escaped prisoner in Plato's Allegory of the Cave, to share her enlightenment. But the director chose to undermine the heroism she had displayed throughout the story. A pity. Thanks for this review. Excelsior!
The Village is not a horror movie, it's a mistake to believe that. This is a film about our beliefs and how - and why - they are created. After The Signs, a celebration of faith, Shyamalan wanted to portray this faith as - false.
Rewatch the movie as a Love story....you'll like it more
It's been too long since I watched the movie, but listening to your summary, I wonder if the movie was supposed to be metaphorical - and specifically a critique of the government at the time? One could see parallels in the reactionary societal elders who impose an incongruently antiquated mode of living while lying to those in their charge, creating or magnifying external threats to whip up societal fear that reinforces their own power, and endangering or even sacrificing individuals for the sake of the group or group safety. If that's an intended reading, then elements that don't make sense in a typical horror or psychological film might actually be intentional in that they provoke the feelings of betrayal, anger, and confusion that would be "the point". ...Anyway, as I said, I haven't watched the film in a while, so I may be way off track here, but I thought this could be a potential explanation for the choices Shyamalan made here.
Have you seen River of no return? If so could you give me the link? Thanks.
No, I haven't seen it yet.
@@Weiselberry Just watched it for the first time myself and would like to hear your thoughts, I think it Monroe's best performance.
I was disappointed with this movie. I figured out early on that the village was not set in the time that the people's mode of dress and speech would have you believe; that they were a group of people who had self isolated from the modern world.
Is it Shamalame or M. Right?
Yes, this movie had an intriguing premise. It was well cast. Beautifully shot. However, I remember asking my students about their reactions to it. Most were disappointed that Joaquin Phoenix was sidelined. They had expected him to be the protagonist. They felt cheated by the reveal that there were no monsters. The revelation that 'The Village' was a contemporary drama really annoyed them. A fair, balanced review Miss Weiselberry. Thank you for NOT RANTING. There is far too much of that on RUclips. Much appreciated!
👍🏻 👌🏼
I absolutely adored "The Village" when it first came out, and I still think back to it often. I grew up near Amish and other religious communities, and I've always been fascinated by utopian communes. Heck, my own ancestors lived in an abholitionist Quaker community in early 19th century Ohio! So the movie was perfect for me. Regarding the "twist" and the dysfunction of the elders, this is the same kind of attitude you'll encounter in all kinds of religious and political sects today, like Christian fundamentalists, old-school Mormons, QAnon etc., so no surprises there! I can easily imagine disturbed fundies phantasizing about a coercive "gated community" like this. As far as the monsters are concerned, they reflect a variety of folk traditions. Here in Germany, they make me think of the shaggy and sinister Perchta figures and the horrific Grampus, which haunt Bavarian and Austrian villages during the dismal Twelve Nights when Odin and his Wild Hunt haunt the land... Okay, the reveal was a little abrupt, with too much exposition delivered by Shyamalan himself, but that's a minor quibble. Bryce Dallas Howard is utterly luminous and genuinely steals the show. My favorite Shyamalan film.
I liked Shyamalan's work up to 'The Happening', then I lost interest in him.
Though I could be persuaded into watching the rest of the 'Unbreakable' trilogy = Split and Glass.
I liked Split, but I had no idea it was a sequel to Unbreakable, so I got kind of lost when it changed gears in the third act. I don't know if that means you would like it, but it's probably a good sign. I didn't see Glass.
@@Weiselberry Just watched SPLIT --- I liked it (etc etc --- lol).
But I did think "Why THEY going after her --- She 'Broken' too". 😀
Just watched GLASS = nice !
I was annoyed by the final scenes --- but I understand what the director wanted.
I like this movie but the end is so annoying.
Dogtooth is basically the same story, but waaaaay better. Would make an interesting follow-up comparing the two, maybe.
Yes! You're still doing videos! (Movie sucked though...)
M has done as many mediocre movies as good ones.
I didn't mind the twist. What I really disliked was the blind character being chased by the monster in daylight. The "monster" is for us to see but it doesn't make sense. A constumed monster following a blind woman in daylight is not scary.
I really disliked that movie... I did like Signs. That said, I think M. N Shyamalan is a one trick pony.
Good review, per the norm. Thanks.