Favorite Movies Countdown — No. 19

19. Signs (2002)

Starring: Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Abigail Breslin, and Rory Culkin

About: In 2011, M. Night Shymalan isn't a hot commodity. His last few films have been critically savaged and audiences haven't warmed to them as much either. So it's easy to forget that for about five years, he was a very hot property — as were his films.

From a commercial standpoint, one could argue that "The Sixth Sense" is Shymalan's biggest film. But for me, "Signs" is his best film. It has the most interesting characters and, to me, the clearest version of his standard plot.

So you're probably asking what is his standard plot? I think all Shymalan's films from "The Sixth Sense" through "The Happening" are variations of the same story. They are all about a central character, or characters, who have endured a tragedy and are seeking to rebuild their faith and find redemption. The story is always told in a slightly different context, with slightly different back story, but with essentially the same structure.

With "The Sixth Sense," Shymalan has his most fantastic twist ending. It's also, arguably, one of the more surprising stories. But with "Signs," he nails the formula of the story better, grounding it in a search for the restoration of a Christian ethic of faith more clearly. In fact, it offers some beautiful lines and some beautiful explorations of people.

Consider this speech from Gibson's character — lapsed minister Graham Hess — as his brother asks him if he believes in coincidence. He says, "People break down into two groups. When they experience something lucky, group number one sees it as more than luck, more than coincidence. They see it as a sign, evidence, that there is someone up there, watching out for them. Group number two sees it as just pure luck. Just a happy turn of chance. I'm sure the people in group number two are looking at those fourteen lights in a very suspicious way. For them, the situation is a fifty-fifty. Could be bad, could be good. But deep down, they feel that whatever happens, they're on their own. And that fills them with fear. Yeah, there are those people. But there's a whole lot of people in group number one. When they see those fourteen lights, they're looking at a miracle. And deep down, they feel that whatever's going to happen, there will be someone there to help them. And that fills them with hope. See what you have to ask yourself is what kind of person are you? Are you the kind that sees signs, that sees miracles? Or do you believe that people just get lucky? Or, look at the question this way: Is it possible that there are no coincidences?"

I am personally drawn to films where characters are seeking to find their faith. I also think that the hardest question believers and non-believers face is reconciling our idea of a loving and benevolent God with the tragedies that happen in our lives. That lies at the heart of "Signs," and the way it's handled is beautiful.

Whether you like the alien story or not, the human drama at the heart of "Signs" is what makes it great.

Other Strong Shymalan Films:

"The Sixth Sense" (1999)

This was Shymalan's first big hit, and one of his best twist endings. Great performances and a memorable overall story. This really established the pattern for Shymalan films.

"The Village" (2004)

This began the run of Shymalan films that were critically panned. Though not the greatest of his films, I think the performances were fascinating and the twist ending — a Shymalan trademark — is probably his second best.

"Lady In The Water" (2006)

This is probably my second favorite Shymalan film. Some disliked it because it was created in more of a fairy tale format, but I think Shymalan does a great job of nailing his formula with this. The character played by Paul Giamatti is fascinating and compelling.

"Devil" (2010)

Shymalan didn't direct this, but he did come up with the story for this film. What I like about the movie is the compelling message that it offers about the power of forgiveness, not just in the lives of those who are forgiven but in the lives of those who offer forgiveness.