Welcome back, M. Night Shyamalan, you’ve been missed. The writer and director of this new thriller has recaptured the intensity of his earlier films with this on-the-edge-of-your-seat disaster film. While not reaching the cinematic heights of “The Sixth Sense” or “Signs”, it does keep the audience tense and enthralled with the mystery from beginning to end. Since the summer movie season is particularly short on thrillers this year, taking a chance on Shyamalan’s latest movie will likely provide an enjoyable experience for those with a predilection for just round around the corner paranoia.
A strange and unforeseen hysteria has gripped New York City. People are being influenced by an unknown force to kill themselves in any way available. Whatever is causing it seems to be spreading down the East Coast, triggering populations to evacuate to where they think it might be safe. The story follows Elliot (Mark Wahlberg; “The Departed”) and Alma Moore (Zooey Deschanel; “Failure to Launch“), a young couple from Philadelphia who are taking the opportunity to leave the city with their friend, Julian (John Leguizamo; “Land of the Dead“), a math teacher from Elliot‘s school. As the three adults and Julian‘s daughter leave the city for the country, they hear and see more horrific atrocities occurring over the news in more and more places. Where will they go and how can they be safe against an unseen adversary which causes people to off themselves?
Wahlberg plays a high school science teacher. His character is strategically appropriate as the protagonist of the film, since the people around him don’t know what’s happening and his scientific mind eventually works out some life-saving solutions. Wahlberg took some chances with Elliot, seeming less guarded and confident than in his past roles. The audience sees him experience doubt, concern, and fear, in different situations. Shyamalan pulls an unexpectedly well-rounded performance from Wahlberg. Sadly, Deschanel’s character is not as strongly established. It is unclear how Alma normally acts, but in this life or death situation she is caught up in rather trivial matters in comparison to the more serious problems around her. Eventually, her character comes out of the funk she is initially in by helping care for Elliot’s daughter, which ultimately creates a more convincing character.
I am surprised film reviewers were not swept up by the visual splendor, intriguing details, and constant tension that was “The Happening”. Apparently, Shyamalan is on the outs with critics as a majority, since so many joined the bandwagon against his latest movie. Shyamalan doesn’t need to rely on his “gotcha” moment in this film, with the mystery instead slowly unraveled for the audience. The feeling of claustrophobia, even while out in open fields, was mesmerizing and kept me paying rapt attention for any signs of danger on screen. The threat in “The Happening” ultimately plays against our very nature as human beings, making it all the more effective to terrify and entertain us.
Rated R for violent and disturbing images.
