Reviews of Lady in the Water

Drowning in dissapointment

Posted : 4 months, 1 week ago on 20 March 2008 11:43 (A review of Lady in the Water)

Being a big fan of fairy tales, especially their relevance to our modern lives, I thought that the perfect film for me had come into existence.

At a rundown apartment complex a mundane bored with life handy man stumbles across a water nymph trying to save humanity from its own ignorance. Together they end up trying to get her back home, thus saving our world.
During this mammoth struggle the rest of the complex is also engaged in the fight each finding they have a specific talent and gift to offer up. The characters end up saving each others lives both literally and in meaning, thus becoming all the better for it.

Unfortunately I think M. Night Shyamalan just tried to combine too many elements into this film. The comedy falls short at every point, the magic just never comes alive and the characters, which are purposely subscribed to the traditional fairy tale roles fail to come into their own, leaving me uninspired and compassionless.

By the end of the film I felt like it would have been better if the complex had of been killed off by the ‘Snark’ and took humanity with it, ending my misery and bitter disappointment of having to sit through the rest of the film.


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Lady in the Water review

Posted : 6 months, 2 weeks ago on 14 January 2008 07:39 (A review of Lady in the Water)

Loved this though I do agree with the good and bad elements that most people will critique in this movie. It is predictable and a bit ludicrous, but it's so fun to watch! The story itself flows like a really great bedtime story itself and you get involved with the whole fantasy element. What it really comes down to is the idea of all these people working together towards a common goal, with everyone having their own unique gift or role. Sure, it seemed odd that everyone was so quick to believe and not question, but what's wrong with wanting to believe? We've slowly been trained to become adults by being cynical and sceptical, so I can't blame people for wanting a little excitement and for wanting to be part of that great adventure.

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*yawn*

Posted : 1 year, 1 month ago on 12 June 2007 05:53 (A review of Lady in the Water)

This movie was pretty bad. It jumps right into the plot in the first 10 minutes, then lingers. It is very predictable, and all very "What are the chances?", which is ok for a bedtime story, but is still very annoying. There is only one, maybe two, parts of the film that make you jump, or are actually suspenseful. There was one suprising part, when you figure out the role of Reggie. Two funny parts, one at the beginning when he is smashing a spider, the other when he is trying to act like a kid.

Paul's acting is still terrific, nonetheless. I love when he is talking about his family.

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so-so plot, but great acting + great sce

Posted : 1 year, 5 months ago on 11 February 2007 09:47 (A review of Lady in the Water)

no, unlike typical M. Night Shyamalan's films, this doesnt really have any 'twists'

yes, the story is far-fetched, and every part of the plot just falls exactly in place - as you'd expect in a bed-time story

yes, it mixes a real-life enviroment (an apartment complex in present-day) with mythical creatures and fantasy and legends - usually NOT a good mixture (example, if this plot was set in medieval times, it may have won over more people in the audience)

and despite it not really being a horror film, and gore is non-existant, Shyamalan does the 'suspense' aspect so perfectly, just like in 'Signs' and 'The Village'. To me, the perfect suspense film has 95% anticipation, 5% action, and this director is one of my faves because he does that.

another highlight of this film is Paul Giamatti. From his performances here, as well as in 'Sideways' and 'The Illusionist', this guy has quickly became one of my top actors, and I think a few Oscars are in his future. And the stunning Bryce Dallas Howard. She was absolutely mesmerizing to watch.

Overrall, I give it an 8/10, though admitelly the plot was sub-standard.

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Lady in the Water review

Posted : 1 year, 5 months ago on 11 February 2007 08:27 (A review of Lady in the Water)

Hahaha, this was probably one of the most ridiculous films I've ever seen. I thought this film was awful and predictable. I really did dislike it and felt I deserved a refund. I appreciate the fact that it's supposed to be fantastical, but I don't see the point to it.

The movie introduces you to a bunch of typically 'quirky' characters who will all be very important later in the story, then builds a rubbish plot around them. The icing on the cake for me was the kid (who we all knew would be the symbolist or whatever he was) reading the cereal boxes. It was so obvious that the first people he picked for the jobs weren't the correct people for that purpose. How unpredictable that the only man in the film with any muscle mass at all is the guardian too! Nice one Shambles.

I just love the fact that everyone instantly buys the story that the superintendent tells them, too. Oh, and M. Night Shambles just happens to cameo as a misunderstood genius who will rescue mankind with his writing. What a crock. You're not the messiah! Hopefully, after two very poor films in a row, people will think twice before throwing money at this director again.

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Puddle in my Pants

Posted : 1 year, 5 months ago on 11 February 2007 08:14 (A review of Lady in the Water)

As quoted from the previous review: "This is my first M. Night Shyamalan disappointment." I guess a lot of pressure was on him for another classic.

It wasn't because there was no twist and turns throughout but just because the story was dull. It was A to B but had nothing enthralling about it. Looking back on it, it was over-complicating the narrative. The focus was on too many characters and it tried to make everyone seem more significant than they were.

I can't display my disappointment. I just wanted the film to be something more. Something to talk about without feeling ashamed.

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Drowning in the Water

Posted : 1 year, 7 months ago on 28 December 2006 08:30 (A review of Lady in the Water)

After growing accustomed to the style of M. Night Shyamalan and his twisted endings, some may not appreciate the straightforward fantastical story presented in Lady in the Water. I was one of those people as the storyline was less than appealing and seemed to drag on with the ultimate resolve being very ordinary. It seems the magical run of M. Night Shyamalan and his stories have finally come back to earth.

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Lady in the Water Barely Floats

Posted : 1 year, 7 months ago on 23 December 2006 07:08 (A review of Lady in the Water)

Overall, I felt there was lots to like about LITW, less to dislike, and plenty to feel mediocre about. I was captivated at times, but felt the last 30 minutes stumbled, and ultimately I was left wanting something more. This is my first M. Night Shyamalan disappointment, loving ALL of his other pics. Enjoyable, and I can recommend, but with reservations.

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