Lady in the Water
I saw M Night Shymalan’s Lady in the Water and there are still portions of it that I’m trying to digest. However, the first word that comes to mind when trying to describe it, is Arb.
Really, the film centres on a Cleveland Heep (Paul Giamatti), the caretaker of an apartment block who discovers a sea nymph, a Narf called Story (Bryce Dallas Howard – who shudders and sleeps, and does little else) lurking in the building’s swimming pool. Cleveland has to help Story “connect” with someone in the complex who will change the world, as well as help her get home to The Blue World without being devoured by a grassy-wolf-thing called a Scrunt.
That may sound all whimsical and refreshingly different, but the film trundles along without developing any of the characters in a rather extensive cast (Cleveland ropes in various, curiously unquestioning, apartment dwellers to help Story).
The same message of discovering who you are and your potential that is at the heart of all Shymalan movies is present in Lady in the Water, but it seems at times to take a back seat to Shymalan just toying with the audience, their expectations and filmic conventions.
So while a character (a film reviewer no less) outlines the way movie mysteries subtly introduce characters who are important later in the plot, the audience looks back later and realises that Shymalan has been using the same conventions all along; just distracting viewers with other character options.
As a side note, the nasty film reviewer is also targeted by Shymalan for his arrogance in terms of believing there are no more original stories, and presuming to know people’s roles in the greater scheme.
In the midst of this, Shymalan (in his biggest acting role to date) positions himself in the ‘world saviour’ role – a misunderstood genius who will only be appreciated after his death. Clearly the man has issues with the critical drubbings he’s been receiving lately.
The Lady in the Water is not a really bad film… it’s just odd… and forgettable. The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable remain my favourite Shymalan films.
Really, the film centres on a Cleveland Heep (Paul Giamatti), the caretaker of an apartment block who discovers a sea nymph, a Narf called Story (Bryce Dallas Howard – who shudders and sleeps, and does little else) lurking in the building’s swimming pool. Cleveland has to help Story “connect” with someone in the complex who will change the world, as well as help her get home to The Blue World without being devoured by a grassy-wolf-thing called a Scrunt.
That may sound all whimsical and refreshingly different, but the film trundles along without developing any of the characters in a rather extensive cast (Cleveland ropes in various, curiously unquestioning, apartment dwellers to help Story).
The same message of discovering who you are and your potential that is at the heart of all Shymalan movies is present in Lady in the Water, but it seems at times to take a back seat to Shymalan just toying with the audience, their expectations and filmic conventions.
So while a character (a film reviewer no less) outlines the way movie mysteries subtly introduce characters who are important later in the plot, the audience looks back later and realises that Shymalan has been using the same conventions all along; just distracting viewers with other character options.
As a side note, the nasty film reviewer is also targeted by Shymalan for his arrogance in terms of believing there are no more original stories, and presuming to know people’s roles in the greater scheme.
In the midst of this, Shymalan (in his biggest acting role to date) positions himself in the ‘world saviour’ role – a misunderstood genius who will only be appreciated after his death. Clearly the man has issues with the critical drubbings he’s been receiving lately.
The Lady in the Water is not a really bad film… it’s just odd… and forgettable. The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable remain my favourite Shymalan films.
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