What made me want to watch The village? Two words: The commercials. The adverts showed that the film had obvious elements of horror, suspense, and even a little romance. But what really made me want to see it, was the director. M. night Shyalman (Is that how you spell his name?) I have seen the sixth sense and unbreakable (two films I have reviewed) and I thought they were great, but I have never seen one of his works on the big screen. I also thought it would be a great oppurtunity to see a film at the cinema, as I had not for a while.So, I went to see it, with high hopes.
I was in the cinema, and the film started. Shoving popcorn into my mouth, I stared at the movie as it began. It began with scenes of villiage people, attending a funeral, and it showed a shot of the gravestone, suggesting that it was the turn if the nineteenth centuary. The film progresses a little quicker, and it quickly introduces you to the main charecters. There are many people sitting at a table, eating food and talking. Then suddenly from the forest, you hear a strange roar.
Everybody goes silent. One man starts clapping and laughing, but you soon find out that he has a mental disease. It introduces you to the main character, a blind girl. Making the main charecter blind adds even more horror to the film, and improves the romance in it. Apparently, the blind girl has a sister, who is in love with a stern, silent man. And so, the love connection begins.
In one short scene, you see two girls mopping the floor, and turning it into a game. They do it happily obviously enjoying themselves. You see that the village is a great community. But suddenly, the camera pans out and you see a small red flower poking out of the ground. The girls instantly turn very strict. One walks over to the flower, pulls it out, then burries it. You find out that something mysterious is going on. The blind girl’s sister soon moves on to ask her father for permission to marry the man. Obviously deeply in love, her father gives permission, and she goes and asks the man.
The next scene shows the girl lying on her bead, in floods of tears. Her mother tries to comfort the girl. But, the horror improves again. You see a young boy standing with his back to the forest, seeing how long he can stay there without getting scares. He quickly gets off as the cries get louder. You find out that red is the bad colour, as it attratcs whatever is hiding in the forest. Then, it becomes obvious that the blind girl, is also in love with the man that her sister was. It introduces the romance and horror at the same time, each steadily, keeping up with eachother. The film gets terrifying as it draws towards the end, making you jump a lot.
I would reccomend this film. Combining these two elements were brilliant, and something has to be said for the director. Later on in the film, he uses slow motion is such an effective way, that it almost makes you scream. He uses brilliant directing and culptivating plotline, in a big mix that makes it a wonderful film. It kept me hooked all the way through it. It is a brilliant film. I suggest you go and see it.
The only letdown is the ending. It is only a bit of a letdown though, and not a big letdown either. It has a good twist as well, something Shyalman is famous for.