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Kevin Michael Vance
Writer - Portland, Oregon
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Title: LADY IN THE WATER
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Year: 2006
Reviewed: January 10, 2007
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Fast Food Meal-Third Highest Rating |
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You know something? I really liked Lady in the Water. I'm going to give it a HIGH FAST FOOD MEAL review.
Admittedly, I went into this film expecting not to like it, because the reviews surrounding it were negative in the extreme. As well as the fact that I really haven't liked a film by Shyamalan since The Sixth Sense. For me, though, what I found was something wholly remarkable, and dare I say it, beautiful.
You can look at Lady in the Water one of two ways. First of all, it's a fable, or a fairy tale. To load this story down with the trappings of being a realistic drama would be a mistake. It does not make sense in any realistic or logical way. But that's the point -- it is magical, and full of a quiet yearning, that I greatly appreciate, it is not concise or based in authenticity whatsoever. Things happen on an emotional and thematic level. This, in and of its self, will piss a lot of viewers off, for lack of a better phrase. You have to allow yourself to let go of sense and reason and simply revel in the fantasy and magic that is Lady in the Water. If you cannot do this, I doubt you will like this film. Secondly, it could be argued that the entire premise is based within the main protagonists' head- inner demons that he is exorcising within his own consciousness. Although there is a part of me (the small, timid, sensitive child I used to be) that still hopes for a world fraught with magic and wonder, a world that does not rely upon the laws of physics, but rather, the laws of love and emotion, good and evil.
It should be mentioned that Lady in the Water would be less than nothing without the amazing performance and talent of its hero, the always intriguing Paul Giamatti. Giamatti in my eyes has turned into the 21st century version of Oliver Platt. I love watching Oliver Platt work. I haven't seen him in a film where he did not shine like a bloody star. The film its self may have sucked, but Platt's performance was always something to be treasured and admired. I feel the same way about Mr. Giamatti. I do not know how he does it, but regardless of the film, he too, outshines the entire cast.
I really believe Lady in the Water is a beautiful movie, there are some fantastic characters, the story is lovingly told and full of imagination. And I hope you like it too.
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