The World of M. Night Shymalan

Tonight we're going to be screening "Signs." Personally, I have always been fascinated by Shymalan as a filmmaker. He is best known for the endings to his best films — "Signs" and "The Sixth Sense," among them — but what has always drawn me in is his stories. I contend all Shymalan's stories are the same. They are all about a central character struggling with a crisis of faith, a tremendous loss, and seeking redemption, it's just the context that changes. I hope everyone will think about that tonight as we watch "Signs" and will look for that when checking out the bulk of Shymalan's work.

In that spirit, I have put Shymalan's films (from "The Sixth Sense" through "The Happening") in order of how I like the way he put them together.

"Signs"

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

Synopsis: This film features an alien invasion, but it's really about a minister (Gibson) who loses his wife and struggles with maintaining his faith. Through the events of the film he is forced to confront his root problem and the doubts and anger that hold him back. This is arguably Shymalan's best critical and commercial hit. I will, of course, have more thoughts on this film when we talk about it next week.

Rating: Four Stars

"Lady In The Water"

Starring: Paul Giamatti, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Jeffrey Wright

Synopsis: This is probably my most controversial pick. Many people hated this film, but it's actually my second favorite of Shymalan's films. This one is definitely strange — but you have to consider that it is designed as more of a children's fairy tale. I would argue that, considering tone, this isn't a film aimed at adults. Still, it's fascinating and well acted. I also love the arc for Giamatti's character in this film as the central figure seeking to overcome a loss, crisis of faith, and find redemption.

Rating: Four Stars

"The Sixth Sense"

Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, and Haley Joel Osmet

Synopsis: This was the first of Shymalan's big films, and it certainly has his best twist ending. It also might be the most suspenseful of his films. I like it, I just think the core of the narrative isn't as well defined as it became in his later films. This film also loses a bit in re-watchability due to heavy reliance on the big reveal.

Rating: Three stars

"The Village"

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, Adrien Brody, and Bryce Dallas Howard

Synopsis: This is where the public began to turn on Shymalan. Clearly, this isn't his greatest film. There are elements that work well and elements that are strange. Perhaps the biggest disappointment was the strange reveal at the end of the film. It kept his string of twist endings alive, and it makes sense to the root story that forms the through line of all his films, but it is a little hard to swallow. Still, I think there is something fascinating about the idea and the story here; about people so hurt by events in the world that their response is to withdraw.

Rating: Three stars

"The Happening"

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, and John Leguizamo

Synopsis: This is probably one of his weakest films, structurally. This marks the end of the typical Shymalan film... which led to "The Last Airbender." Not sure that was an improvement. This film spends more time earning Shymalan's first R rating (for violence) than developing the themes. Also, this is probably the weakest at developing that central theme. I like the actors, I just didn't like how this turned out.

Rating: One Star

"Unbreakable"

Starring: Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, and Robin Wright

Synopsis: This was his follow up to "The Sixth Sense," and it's my least favorite of Shymalan's films. The biggest problem with the film is structural. This film feels like a long origin story for a sequel that will never be filmed. It is essentially all first act, which is part of what makes it frustrating. I also don't think that he does as good a job developing the standard themes. This film just don't resonate with me.

Rating: One star