Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Cherry Jones, Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin
Running Time: 106 minutes
Synopsis: Widower Graham Hess (Mel Gibson) lives on a farm in rural Pennsylvania with his children Morgan and Bo (Rory Culkin and Abigail Breslin), as well as his younger brother Merrill (Joaquin Phoenix). Graham was the former local priest, but lost faith when his wife was killed in a car crash. Strange crop circles start appearing within Graham's corn fields, followed by reports of similar crop patterns from around the world and then alien spaceships in the skies above multiple cities. As a seemingly cataclysmic event draws near, Graham has to find ways to protect his family.
What Works Well: In this intimate exploration of faith and belief, writer and director M. Night Shyamalan zooms in to the family level at a single location as Earth-threatening events approach. While there are moments of suspense and unsettling encounters with aliens (counterbalanced with touches of humour), the narrative is free from elaborate special effects and large-scale scenes of destruction. Instead the focus is on scarred emotions, internal conflicts, and the invisible lines connecting past events with future opportunities. The dialogue is often unusually thoughtful and heartfelt, seeking core human attributes where fear, resignation, familial love, and hope interact.
What Does Not Work As Well: The background story of the extra-terrestrial threat is no more than a sketched-in catalyst, and this unfortunately extends to the less-than-plausible weaknesses of this supposedly advanced invading force.
Key Quote:
Graham: Is it possible that there are no coincidences?
All Ace Black Movie Blog reviews are here.
You're a lot nicer to this than I am. I really wanted to like Signs and it does have its moments. The first reveal of the aliens at the kids' party is an all-timer.
ReplyDeleteBut, the whole "all of this is pre-ordained" seems like such a Rube Goldberg machine. It feels really rickety, and as you say, there is the issue of aliens who are essentially allergic to water invading a planet that has a surface area that is something like 70% water.
That alien vulnerability to water is a really weak plot point. Beyond that, I did appreciate the low-key everything-is-connected-to-everything-else subtext.
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