Official Discussion: The Visit [SPOILERS]

I went back and re watched lady in the water, and I don't think it's as horrible as everyone says. It's a very flawed film. It's def not good. But it's more a mixed bag than a complete failure. As a children's fantasy/night time story, it's actually really silly/fun. There are times where the film literally operates on children's logic, and seeing all the adults act like the way a children's story would play out -- those moments work.

Even the more emotional stuff, kind of works (the stuff with the main protagonists back story, but it gets a little ham fisted towards the end and isn't fleshed out enough. Although operating under a kids story, that also kind of makes sense).

Where the film has major issues is:

  • The cinematography/direction is baffling. Close up camera angles. Off kilter/ weird angles that make no sense. Considering The Sixth Sense and the Village were gorgeously shot films, it makes no sense why M Night would switch his directing style (and this is something we would see carry over to the Last Airbender).

  • M Night plays a martyr in this film. I'm in the group that thinks The Village is actually underrated. Yes, there is now a growing group of people that actually love the Village and think it's a good drama film (not horror). Or at the very least, it's a flawed film, but it has some amazing qualities. And even I found M Nights use of being a martyr in this film to be very off putting. From N Night attacking critics, to him being a savior character in the film....yeah it was gross.

  • Some of the stereotypes in the film are off putting. It's meant to be humorous, but it goes a bit too far in some places and becomes groan worthy. Again, I get the film is supposed to operate on kid logic, and so everyone's actions are over the top and exaggerated. But it's hard to ignore some of the aggressive stereotyping.

So the film has issues. But I don't think it's an awful film or the worst film of all time. Because despite all the negative things I've said above, the other half to that equation is a pretty charming fairy tale/ kids story that is actually fun to watch play out. I re watched this film with my nieces who are 8-10, and they loved the main story with Bryce Dallas Howard's character, and because the adults acted like kids, they were also able to get into the films non fantasy parts.

Lady in the Water is def M Nights first major decline in quality. I again think it's a very mixed bag. It's a botched execution of what the films genre was supposed to be. And yet, for all the failures of the film, I still can't help but feel the film does good things as well.

/r/movies Thread Parent