Balancing Kiwis

Saw Shyamalan’s latest flick - It’s getting panned by many, and loved by few.  And I see why!!  It is a far cry from his other works, and requires a massive leap of faith to enter into the “bedtime story” he is telling.

And I loved it.

(Spoilers ahead . . .):

What a metaphor for the life. . .  The protagonist works in a place that appears to be the epitome of ”normal”, but then our eyes are opened to another world that exists in tandem.  It’s a world we cannot see without “becoming as children”; a world of supernature, of cosmic battles between forces of good and evil. 

It’s about a “chosen one” sent to give again the message to humanity that it has all but lost.  It’s about the idea that nothing (a passion for crosswords?!!) means nothing, that all are linked, that everyone has a purpose.  It’s about finding our place in the cosmic story.  It’s about opening up to a new way of living and existing.  It’s about the role of the leader being to lead others to see with new eyes and to find their places in the story.  It’s about engaging with destiny, taking risks, and stepping into the roles prepared for us from before the foundation of the world.  It’s about the messy, beautiful reality of being part of a subversive movement to bring another kingdom crashing into our world, and in doing so to bring restoration and hope.

Artistically, it is far from perfect.  The pace is Shyamalan-slow, the camera work careful, and the trademark “twist” is completely absent (Which I think may be a good thing!).  Many will (and have) taken issue with Shyamalan’s choice of “cameo” role here, but even in that I appreciated the message.  I concur that the trailers are extremely misleading, and those who are looking for “The Sixth Sense” or even “Signs” will likely be disappointed.  But to those who can take the necessary leap of faith to jump into the story, Shyamalan rewards heartily.

Yes, it is a stretch.  Yes, it is a “bedtime story”.

And I loved it.

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 3rd, 2006 at 9:07 am and is filed under Culture. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.