In defense of M. Night

The Happening is coming out on Friday (against the suddenly-looks-awesome Incredible Hulk — not the best idea, there, Fox) and everybody’s making a big deal about the “fall” of M. Night Shyamalan. Cynthia Hawkins takes the floor in defense of the director in this week’s Current, and it’s an interesting read (there’s even a mini war of words in the comments section of the story) — the illustration above was meant to evoke a sort of American tabloid trial for our beleaguered auteur.

Personally, I went from really digging his movies (Unbreakable and Signs sit on my DVD shelf) to becoming annoyed at him after The Village — which I felt gave itself and its shockingly trite “twist” too much credit for what was otherwise a moody, occasionally scary period film with spotty, stilted acting. Topping it off for me was Shyamalan’s appearance at the end of the film, post-reveal, in a scene that is wholly unnecessary and grinds the movie to a screeching halt. The only reason I could think of for the scene’s existence was that the writer-director-actor wanted to step out from behind the curtain and take a bow after his big, dramatic twist blew audiences away. If I had a tomato in the theater, I would have let him have it.

I skipped Lady in the Water, and if I see one movie this weekend, it’s gonna be Hulk (I’m reviewing it in next week’s Current). But judging from the red-band trailer, it looks like Shyamalan’s taking off the kid(-friendly) gloves. Could be really good stuff. He’s obviously talented, and worth another look — but the prospect of a Shyamalan-athon is a little daunting (that’s a lot of pregnant pauses).

You must be 17 or older to watch the trailer below (or, at least, not eating anything).