Sooner or later writer/director M. Night Shyamalan is going to paint himself into that cinematic corner where a well-placed plot twist (or two) won’t be enough to bail his picture out of the realm of mediocrity.
Now isn’t the time, though. Shyamalan hits another one out of the park with “”The Village,”” a good looking and well-paced oddity that’s marketed as a thriller and sold as a plot-twister, but manages to stand on its own legs as a touching romance between unconventional characters with obstacles to overcome.To tell you much more would be a crime. Literally, I think the representatives from Disney would hunt me down and have me arrested. No worries, the trailer spells out what you need to know, and the less you’re aware of going in, the better.I’m keeping this review short. Two wisdom teeth parted company with my jawbone this morning, and I’m in dire need of painkillers. Here’s what you need to know about “”The Village.”” The rest I’ll leave for you to figure out on your own:1. As expected from Shyamalan, “”The Village”” boasts clever plot twists. Some you’ll see coming, though at least two of them will catch you off guard.2. One character is poised to lead the film from the onset. But after the stirring first act that properly sets the stage, “”Village”” switches gears altogether and lands squarely on the shoulders of Bryce Dallas Howard – Ron Howard’s daughter – in her big-screen debut. In short, she is spectacular. Howard gives one of those performances critics and audiences will be discussing for years to come. She’s a fierce talent, an absolute joy to watch. 3. Adrian Brody’s character might be the main reason “”Village”” isn’t perfect. His motivations are understood, even though when all the chips have fallen, they make very little sense. Whenever “”Village”” relies on his actions, it becomes convenient rather than crafty. I understand why his presence is necessary, though I do wish Shyamalan had come up with a better way around this character’s flaws.4. The council of elders running the village contains so many cherished actors. Where else will you see William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, Brendan Gleeson and Cherry Jones sharing a scene, even if they’re discussing skinned animals swinging from the doorframes of the village’s somber homes? 5. Once again, James Newton Howard’s score plays a solid supporting role. It’s as effective as Judy Greer, Michael Pitt or the red-hooded monsters sulking through the forest.6. Did I mention how good Bryce Dallas Howard is in this film? Oscar nominators, are you listening.7. “”Village”” is gorgeous. CInematographer Roger Deakins shoots beautiful scenes of backlight forests at night. Torches, candles and moonlight bring out natural terrors in the Pennsylvania landscape. His use of color, particularly red, helps “”Village”” rise an inch or two off the screen.8. It’s safe to say that Shyamalan is the closest thing to a young Spielberg we have in Hollywood today. His film’s, though in need of a grain of salt that helps Spielberg’s finest go down, carefully construct an original world in which we’re content to operate. He establishes ground rules based loosely in reality, tests the limits of those boundaries as he goes, and coaxes top notch performances out of the chosen cast. Like Spielberg, M. Night prefers to linger in science fiction and fantasy when digging for chills. For every “”Signs”” there is a “”Close Encounters.”” For every “”Unbreakable”” there is a “”Jaws.”” And now, for every “”Terminal,”” there will be a “”Village”” to warm the heart and chill the spine.Grade: B+By Sean O’ConnellJuly 30, 2004