Lady in the Water [DVD] [2006] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

Lady in the Water was a film I missed when it came to the cinema. Despite being a huge fan M Night the synopsis didn't inspire me, I'm not really into fairy tales and to me, the plot sounded nonsense. I eventually came across the movie again while browsing Amazon and decided what the heck, give it a go! To be honest I was surprised and enjoyed it immensely. To be fair its not a classic like Sixth Sense or as good as Unbreakable or Signs but to me it was very well acted and wove an intriguing plot that kept me glued right to the end.
I wont go over the story but Paul Giamatti is a wonderful and diverse actor who's character you really care for as he attempts to protect the equally talented Bryce Dallas Howard from invisible supernatural wolf like creatures. M Night also makes an appearance as a side character that is much more significant than his usual cameos. His appearance augments the portfolio of interesting quirky characters that constitute the local community that exist around the communal swimming pool Giamatti cares for. Its vastly interesting and entertaining how the somewhat isolated residents of the flats are drawn together and united as a community with the common goal of protecting Bryce's character.
The type of story and characterisation of the film reminded me of some of Steven King's best books, for example It. By this I don't mean that M Night is ripping off Steven King but the way he develops the characters who unite to help protect the Lady in the Water is carried in out in a simlarly intriguing fashion. None of the characters are super heroes, they all have their own faults and quirks and this is what mmakes the film so interesting.
As with many of M Nights other films they are, in places, humourous, exciting and touching. I would definitely recommend to fans of M Night or viewers who aren't looking for an action and can suspend their belief. If you can do that then consider this movie 4 stars. If you haven't enjoyed M Night's previous films then subtract 2 stars and avoid.

This film has been widely condemned and ridiculed, somewhat unfairly in my opinion. Theres a great many worse films around, although thats no excuse in itself. But Night has set the bar high with his previous work so that this film pales compared with his previous work. Thats not to say its a bad film, just dissappointing considering the talent of who made it.

The story isn't particularly well-structured and lots of things aren't explained properly and certain themes aren't developed. The story itself is something of a cross between a childrens tale and a redemption story, and trying to be both it doesn't quite do justice to either. To appreciate it you need to suspend your disbelief, and even after that you need to take a leap into believing the entire premise in the first place. However it has been touted as a children's bedtime story and in a touching way its reminiscent of the kind of tales you hear as a child.

All that aside, its a well made film, well-acted and has a wonderful score from James Newton Howard which really adds an emotive feel to the tale. Some of the characters are interesting, some not and some aren't developed enough for us to know (or even care), Paul Giamatti's 'Cleveland' is a nice sympathetic but tragic character and Bryce Dallas Howard is a charming, enigmatic and always pasty sea-nymph. Night casts himself in a major role this time rather than just his usual brief cameos, he does ok but the role he plays may leave you with questions of the man's ego.

Not a film for the constantly cynical amongst us, it is in fact a sentimental tale with a postively redeeming story to it. A good family film perhaps?

M Night Shyamaln delivered big time with Sixth sense, Sings and Unbreakable, his unique directorial style was distinctive and impressive and his twists were unexpected and inspired. And when a director makes such good films it builds hopes up for subsequent films that they make, and because this film is so different to his others people were dissapointed.
There is nothing hugely wrong with this film, it is not that thrilling, but it is well paced, well plotted and well acted. The overall story arc of a water woman and magical creatures is something extremely different to a kid being able to see dead people, but it does not make the story bad. This is supposed to be a film for kids and their parents, it was based on a childrens book after all. People who are reviewing this film are so clouded by their hatred for it that they hadven't stopped to examine why this film is actually very good.
Paul Giammati and Bryce Dallas Howard act very well, as do the other lesser known cast. The script is well written and thoughtful as are all the other Shyamalan films, his style of directing is clear just as it is in sixth sense and signs etc.
The inclusion of creatures, such as the monkeys, the wolves and the eagles is not as bad a choice as people make out, in fact it only helps to make it appealing to a younger audience. Some reviewers are slating the idiocy of including grass wolves and monkeys but is it that different from the creatures in all of the other fantasy films, because thats what this is, FANTASY. It is not an emotional drama/thriller, like sixth sense it is not a sci fi horror like Signs it is pure fantasy. Once people get that into their head they might understand what Shyamalan intended, he simply wanted to create something different to his previous films and he has done it very well.
The acting, the plot, the script, the score and the special effects are all done very well and this is a very well directed film that has been undeservedly slated and criticised, just for being different to his other films.
Watch it without thinking you're going to hate it.