Cultural Arts and Entertainment

'The Happening'

I had the chance to see "The Happening" this week, M. Night Shyamalan's newest spooky addition to the world of cinema. I have to say, I was very impressed with the movie -- especially after Shyamalan's latest duds at the box office.

Shyamalan first made it big with "The Sixth Sense" in 1999, and simply hasn't been able to repeat that brilliance since. Movies like "Unbreakable," "Signs" and "The Village" fell short for me, as well as many other movie-goers. I couldn't even bring myself to see "Lady in the Water," which I've heard was another dud.

"The Happening" has a "Signs"-type feel to it, but has so many better elements to it. Although I think all of Shyamalan's movies have a similar feel to them -- crazy uncomfortable anticipation and dark drama -- "The Happening" has something new to it.

Being Rated R, Shyamalan had the opportunity to explore more graphic elements. The movie's main theme is that of suicide, and Shyamalan finds many unique and disturbing ways for his "infected" characters to kill themselves. That theme sits heavy with viewers -- I think watching person after person kill themself is going to put a knot in anybody's stomach, but I'm assuming that's what Shyamalan is going for. Try watching somebody stick a knitting needle in her neck, or lay down in front of an gas lawn mower -- this stuff isn't for kids.

Mark Wahlberg plays and interesting role: a science teacher who -- for lack of a better word -- is a pretty big wuss at times. He's going through problems with his wife and seems to be pretty well whipped. He'll do anything to keep the marriage alive and he comes across as needy and dependent -- character traits that viewers aren't used to seeing Wahlberg play. I'm not entirely sure if he pulls it off, but I wanted to laugh sometimes at some of his dialogue, and the fact that he was so whiny throughout most of the film.

---- SPOILER ALERT! DO NOT READ FURTHER

IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE FILM! ----

I thought the ending was a bit easy. Although it's not a happy ending in any sense (the problem is not solved, it simply starts over again in a new country), I was expecting more of a twist ending. I could see Shyamalan killing off his three main characters, instead of having them live happily ever after in a perfect marriage with a baby on the way.

But the ending will satisfy most audiences, who no doubt will emotionally attach themselves to the main characters and want to see them make it through. I just think twist endings are more fun than the simple happy ending.

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thethingsthatfly
06-25-08 6:49 PM »Report Abuse	You can't call Lady in the Water a dud.. you haven't seen it. It happens to be one of my favorite M. Night movies... you should rent it this weekend and then blog about it!

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