Details
Movie Description
M. Night Shyamalan's THE VILLAGE finds the renowned writer-director crafting a suspenseful story of a small community whose inhabitants are plagued by fear of the unknown forest that surrounds them. For years, they have kept a truce with mysterious creatures in the woods by vowing never to breach a clearly defined border. However, when a young man (Joaquin Phoenix) becomes determined to explore the nearby towns, his actions are met with menacing consequences.
Shyamalan continues his remarkable streak of entrancing and entertaining thrillers (THE SIXTH SENSE, UNBREAKABLE, SIGNS) with THE VILLAGE. A meticulous filmmaker, Shyamalan displays his penchant for setting up a fascinating atmosphere in every aspect of the movie, from its distinctive color scheme to its intentionally genteel dialogue to its outstanding cinematography, courtesy of Roger Deakins. Renowned cast members Phoenix, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, and Adrien Brody are excellent, but the true standout is Bryce Dallas Howard (daughter of director Ron Howard), who embodies the heart of the film with her vulnerable but fiercely vital performance. Like Shyamalan's other movies, THE VILLAGE has a distinct twist that offers shocking revelations, but this film's overwhelming sense of menace is what is sure to resonate with viewers long after it's over.
Film Notes
THEATRICAL RELEASE: JULY 30, 2004
Industry Reviews
"As a director, SHYAMALAN gets fine work from Phoenix, whose ability to convey emotion with limited language serves the film effectively."
Entertainment Weekly - Mark Harris (08/06/2004)
"[I]ts power, unrelated to digital monsters, comes from the tension building inside the characters. Shyamalan benefits from a stellar cast..."
Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (08/06/2004)
"Shyamalan is essentially a superior purveyor of Tales of the Unexpected. Great fun."
Uncut - David Stubbs (10/01/2004)
"Cinematographer Roger Deakins and costume designer Ann Roth both utilise a palette of rich earth tones that maintains period authenticity and imbues the thematically important splashes of bright primary colour with a greater kick..."
Sight and Sound - Matthew Leyland (10/01/2004)
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