al-mcdowall

I don't think I've left a negative review on here before, but I'll put this one up in the hopes it saves someone from wasting a night like I just did.

I love films from all genres and all eras, highbrow, lowbrow - as long as they deliver in some way or other. This film failed in every possible way. I don't actually know how it was as bad as it was. Josh Hartnett was terrible in it, the cinematography was borderline "Murder She Wrote", the script was clunky, the film made no sense in so many places, Shyamalan's daughter is a FANTASTIC singer but her acting here is laughable.

There is absolutely no reason to watch this film. Terrible. Avoid like the plague.

Plenty of people have commented already, both positively and negatively. I'm in the positive camp. I'll try to help you figure out if this could be for you.

Art, life, human experience, ecology, our place in the world and in our minds. That, for me, is what this film is mostly about.

Arthouse, yes, but gorgeously so.

If you are a student of film or cinematography or photography this movie keeps serving up shots you wish you could create.

Dafoe's performance is brilliant - in a subtle and internal way.

If you thought Aranofsky's Mother was worth watching, this is for you (although completely dissimilar). If you have enjoyed Baraka, Samsara and the rest, this is probably for you.

In terms of plot, it is minimal and has no thrills to speak of.

I think it's important to say that there's nothing wrong with not liking the film, feeling bored by it, not wanting to see it. Those who will enjoy it are not above anyone else - those who are disinterested are not below anyone else.

I hope this has helped someone.

Just seen it and hopped on to IMDB to say: I feel that if this film had come from another director, it would not be scored so low. It has become a trend to trash Shyamalan's work.

There were moments when the acting could have been better - I think maybe everyone had a moment like this.

Cinematography and editing were competent if not particularly inspired or ground breaking.

Overall, this was an engaging view. Not the best film I've ever seen, maybe not one that will stay with me, but a decent film nonetheless. When his debut came out, everyone lauded the director as the new Hitchcock and he has had precious few films since then which seemed to please everyone. For me, I would say around 70% of his films have hit the mark.

If you are expecting a mind shattering thriller, this is not it. If you want to escape for an hour and a half into a well put together movie, it's worth a look.