I will preface this by saying that I've just finished The Man Who Heard Voices and I may have been pursuaded by the story behind the story. I must admit to a fair amount of sympathy for Mr. Shyamalan after reading the book and knowing how poorly the movie did at the box office. I'm not going to examine the film as that's already been done, and since I happen to believe that most critics are really just cynics who aren't able to make movies of their own. I'm simply going to defend a film that deserves it and suggest you see it for yourself if you haven't already. It is worth the time and the money.
I saw Lady in the Water a week or two after it opened. It had already gotten several unfortunate reviews, but the theater I saw it in still had a respectable sized audience. People were willing to go to it regardless of the critics.
When it was over, as I was leaving the theater, raw with emotion, I turned to my mom and said that it was just a fairy tale. I had an overwhelming urge to defend it. I couldn't understand why people weren't taking it at face value and simply enjoying it for what it was - a lovely story. I was so very happy I had kept my faith in a great storyteller. The movie lived up to the M. Night Shyamalan legacy.
Going in, I had been worried that I might be let down by a director I admired, that my expecations would be disappointed after months of anticipation (I do so look forward to his movies), that the critics had actually been right. During the opening narrative, I was still fretting and expecting the worst, having a hard time not being judgmental. As the movie progressed, I let the outside influences fade and let the fantasy envelop me. It was wonderful. No one makes movies like that anymore, and the last fairy tales I can remember being that good are all from the classic Disney era. I've been so disappointed with the post-Walt Disney films. When I saw Pocahontas, I knew the studio had lost it's way. All the classics - Bambi, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland - were based on fairy tales and children's stories, not history lessons. That's what a movie for children is supposed to be about. Lessons are learned through the happy endings, not the ability to take a test afterward.
Lady in the Water belongs in that category of films for which no skepticism or rational thinking is required. It should not be picked apart looking for the logic in the plot. In fairy tales, fantastic things are supposed to happen. Characters aren't bound by reality. Lady is a perfect example of why a vast majority of people go to the movies, or why they started going when they were young - to escape. To dream.
Sadly, I think a few too many people have grown up and lost the willingness to use their imaginations. Just look at the popularity of reality television.
What I want to know is: When - and more importantly why - did storytelling go out of style?
1 comment:
Going in, I had been worried that I might be let down by a director I admired, that my expecations would be disappointed after months of anticipation (I do so look forward to his movies), that the critics had actually been right. During the opening narrative, I was still fretting and expecting the worst, having a hard time not being judgmental. As the movie progressed, I let the outside influences fade and let the fantasy envelop me. It was wonderful.
I exactly had the same feelings when i watched it. I went on the first day. It really was a good movie.
Post a Comment