Movies Reviews
By Anne Brodie Jul 21, 2006, 0:52 GMT
Movie Review: Lady in the Water
And Also
Paul Giamatti - View Paul Giamatti Pictures - Paul Giamatti News
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Older Talkback
your analysis of this film is a shameless meandering plug. You repeat the 'like a cave drawing' thematics so often that it made me wonder if anyone wants to see a film that's 'like a cave drawing'. M. night is so blotted by ego that his films are self-indugent and ultimately one dimensional. Cliche's about survival; or trama; stories that are uni-directional. They are films that point to an ending; a specific ending; so specific in fact that the film's guts, its supposed plot; wouldn't exist without them. That he achieved success early is open to debate. Commercial success yes; but nothing he makes is art. And that is the fault in all his work. That he thinks it is.
P.S. cast yourself in something other than a 'writer',
you ego maniac with a middle name befitting a comic book character.
It makes 'tiger' seem almost normal.
You know what they say - those who can't write (direct, act, etc.) become critics. In this case, those who really suck at writing become critics of critics. There was no call for the viciousness of the previous comments, especially the personal attack on the author of the review. Join a 12 step program and make peace with whatever demons are haunting you.
I felt this review of Lady in the Water to be quite beautiful. I enjoyed the descriptions of some of the characters - this gives me a heads-up on what to look for in the film. Also, I'm glad to hear that M. Night seems to be veering a little to the left of what his normal course is while still keeping with some of the old elements that we love about his work. Kudos to the cast they were able to get for this film.
The review managed to get me geeked about seeing this picture, especially after the somewhat disappointing (but brilliantly acted) The Village.
only a loser of your magnitude would write that a review was 'beautiful'.
Thanks for the tip on the writing skills there Alexander Pope. Get 'geeked' and watch your lady in the water. Sadly, in your pathetic life its probably the only thing you have to look forward to.
I just returned from seeing the film at its first showing at my local theater. Prior to seeing the film, I read a number of critical appraisals of the film. Some were positive, some not, some shamelessly in the middle. One critic said it was a painfully bad script - but one that worked. In short, many critics are seeing the film with different eyes than their colleagues. Here are some examples.
First, a positive one from Desson Thomson of the Washington Post: 'Until now, Shyamalan's work has been one of masterful trickery, designed to keep audiences spellbound until the end credits. But for the first time, the filmmaker illuminates a world beyond scheme, beyond the shell games of his earlier films. In 'Lady in the Water,' we no longer think of his characters as mere slaves of the narrative but mazes unto themselves. The eventual outcome of their lives is something we contemplate long after the movie has ended. That's the mark of an artist who makes it his business to push the boundaries of storytelling in Hollywood. And that's exciting.'
Second, a negative one from Rick Warner of Bloomberg News: 'M. Night Shyamalan made a movie about ominous signs, so he probably should have detected one when Walt Disney Co. executives told him they couldn't understand his script for Lady in the Water. Instead, he pitched the story to Warner Bros., which agreed to make the film about a grief-stricken apartment manager who discovers a nymph-like woman in the community swimming pool. The result is one of the most preposterous and pretentious movies I've ever seen, a waterlogged disaster from its solemn start to its hokey finish.'
Me? I've seen hundreds and hundreds of films (I managed theaters for 12 years). And based on what I saw at my theater today, I would have to agree with Mr. Thomson of the Washington Post. At the same time, I can understand why Warner and other critics quickly pounced on Shyamalan. To many critics, his first film, The Sixth Sense, is used as a yardstick against which his subsequent films are measured. And, having seen his earlier films, I must say this is a departure for Shyamalan. But, as Thomson said, '...we no longer think of his characters as mere slaves of the narrative but mazes unto themselves.'
Thomson was merely open-minded enough to watch the movie with different eyes than he watched Shyamalan's previous films ... a talent many film critics lack. When released on DVD, I will buy it to watch again and again.
how can anyone enjoy a movie with such bias and negativity like that of beacon ... I haven't seen the movie yet but reading beacon's comments .. hummm ... so much anger.
Beacon .. do you have any friends at all?
Your sharp tongue is your enemy - Fortune cookie
perhaps beacon is angry because so many great films go unseen and movies such as these get budgets for both production and promotion that are obscene.
The thing is that Shyamalan uses non-blockbuster budgets and typically makes films that make money. So you can't fault him if he makes something a little offbeat.
I've seen the movie, and let me tell you this: Don't spoil your day by watching this movie. You'll be almost embarassed that you watched a 'movie' which is as big a farce as this one.
I loved this review and like so many out there, I am really put off by the maliciousness of some of the critics. My family and several of our friends saw the movie Friday and loved it in all its quirkiness. We were entertained, which is what we wanted and got. I really liked the comment about a 12 step program. I have never seen so many angry trolls as this movie has brought out. Lets sic the scrunts on them!
hey Ralph Waldo...grow up. malicious this and angry that, I've never read such stupidity from adults. and all you thin skinned fairy tailers seem to like the review more than the movie.
As I walked out of the theater after watching Lady in the Water my head hung low. I felt like a big sucker and that I had scammed into watching that horrible excuse of a movie. In the first 15 minutes I knew I had been had. Don't waste your money, but most of all don't waste your precious time.
Hey, I have not seen the film yet, but from your review I'm gonna go soon. In my opinion It was a really good review. You took the time out to listen to the story he is telling instead of letting your own ego get in the way. As for the Beacon remark just like most of american society very jaded very jaded. No one takes the time out any more to really look at the story that is being told.
Keep up the good non-jaded work.
Peace
i'm not american you imbecile.
Since we live near Washington, D.C., the review we read of 'Lady in the Water' was a laragely favorable one by Desson Thomson of the Washington Post who found much to like about the story and espcially about Paul Giamatti's performance. I'm glad we didn't read some of the reviews elsewhere or we might have missed a memorable evening. Giamatti is great, the story is a good fairy tale and the roles and acting of the many principle characters impressive. The movie passed our test and apparently that of most if not all of the attendees-it generated a lot of discussion and many lasting memories of tidbits of the movie. One of the best we've seen in quite a while!
My 19 year old son and I saw this movie together and LOVED IT.
It is bold, original, gentle, tender, full of love; it has a very comforting pace.
No person/personage is empty - just a 'type' in this movie.
Thank you very much, Mr. Shaymalyan.
Maybe the so-called 'film critics' don't generally like it because Shyamalan KILLED a film critic in the movie. It's clear these days there are way too many snide 'film criticizers' out there now, instead of true film/art CRITICS, who follow the worthwhile parameters of actual art criticism. The Washington Post is a refreshing example of actual art criticism pertaining to film, but it stand alone. I say follow the money. There's a reason for the questionable and blatantly absurd amount of 'film critic' vitriol over this one movie. I mean, none of the critics are merely saying 'it's a flop.' Rather, they're HIGHLY invested, almost as if Shyamalan had insulted them personally, or something. Guess he did. But I thought it was funny, and the whole audience cracked up when the sour, dour, boring, in-love-with-himself movie critic got munched. Maybe these guys shouldn't take themselves so seriously--the new 'priests' of their particular religion of public opinion supervision and money control. I feel sorry for Shyamalan. He made a fun, different movie that WAS like a bedtime story, but most everybody just wants their Valium, Jack Daniels, and their existential, post-modern, jaded attitudes. I make it a rule to see movies before reading or listening to a single review. The reviewers are just people afterall, AND they're people who have a motivation to appear 'cool' and 'knowledgable' since it's how they pay their bills. Cynicism sells, so they sell it. Anyway, once I've made MY OWN DECISION AND OPINION about a film, I'll peruse the reviews, but I never let some schmuck ever tell me what to think about my entertainment choices and preferences. I don't need no education or thought control. Cheers.
All I wanted to know is if Lady In The Water was a movie worth while to go see. And with Beacon's bickering, I still haven't gotten an answer. Thanks a lot.
- Rachel
Can somebody please give me a small review of what Lady In The Water is all about? I don't really understand it much. I'd really appreciate it! Thanks :)
- Sophia
Just go see it.
That’s what I tell people. That’s what I did. I'd like to think that's what you should do. For those who need more, read on.
<-Minor Spoiler Warning->
Shyamalan provides us with again with what he always does - something new and original. Unlike his other movies this one does not depend on his trade-mark surprise ending which has, at least in my opinion, disappointed at least once. There is a surprise ending but it is more charming than shocking and caps the story off brilliantly. More like Unbreakable than the Village, this ice-cream cone simply has a different flavor at the core, not sour bubblegum.
Throughout Lady in the Water I felt a certain pleasant nostalgia. It only struck me later that the movie bears a number of similarities to the very successful Never Ending Story (the original movie, not the string of progressively more confusing sequels).
Lady in the Water took the deadly risk of self analysis and capped that off with a bit of morbid comedy when the reviewer came face to face with the reviewed. I think it worked.
I really enjoyed the elemental theme of water which was so strong throughout the movie. I really enjoy water, swimming, life guarding and teaching swimming lessons but I guess it's not for everyone. Water seems to play an important part in Shyamalan's movies. I wonder if he had a near drowning experience. This is a fascinating way of dealing with such an issue.
So much wasn't said in the movie and that I really appreciate. He gives the audience a little credit and doesn't spoon feed us. It was never said that the monster was afraid of water, yet all the time it was clear that it was. The water seemed like a protective barrier. It was a symbol and a shield, and a surprise to make you jump out of your seat.
Many elements were just disturbing but there was a clear sense of right and wrong and morality. The guardian and his weightlifting were just bizarre and that is what I remember most strongly about the movie because I've never seen that before. The morality of the healer and that the movie did not need gratuitous adult scenes to work was a welcome relief.
I thought it was a fantastic movie. I'll have to agree that it is not for everyone. It is only for people who dream.
Mark Charke
www.Charke.ca
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