does shyamalan prove that filmmakers need studio notes?
I’m disappointed in Shyamalan’s new offering THE HAPPENING. I really am. I’ve been a big fan of Shyamalan’s work since THE SIXTH SENSE when he exploded onto the international film scene. Hey, I even liked UNBREAKABLE. It was brave and beautifully shot. He’s been an inspiration to me as a filmmaker.
SIGNS was a great watch (Remember the pantry scene? Pure genius!) and THE VILLAGE - however you may or may not think it needed a twist ending - was throughly entertaining.
LADY IN THE WATER felt like I’d been punched in the gut after I’d watched it. I felt sick for him (and his performance, but that’s a cheap dig). The film didn’t work structurally at all - on a writing level. Yes, there was tension (and a naked Bryce Dallas Howard) throughout but the audience just seemed to be patronisingly fed the exact pieces of information about “the rules of the fairytale” that were about to happen in the next few minutes. Bad writing, in my opinion.
Did Shyamalan in his success and “Hollywood power” refuse to read the script notes?
Writers all complain about the notes they get from studios and producers. They’re wrecking the script! No, I won’t write in more boobs! You want me to develop the love interest! Again, I won’t write in more boobs! Oh, I’m fired? Same old story. Writers are the creative good guys. Studios the business bad guys. It’s a love hate relationship but they need each other to survive.
It feels like Shyamalan - especially in LITW - was making a film for himself rather than for an audience. The objective point of view has been lost. He seems to have lost his appeal and expertise in making mainstream thrilling stories. We’ve all read of Shyamalan refusing to change the script and moving studios in order to make his version. Maybe he should have swallowed his pride a little and listened to others.
THE HAPPENING is better but still not great. I won’t spoil it for anyone who reads this. The concept of the story is an awesome idea but it’s portrayed without any substance. Shyamalan’s classic lets-have-a-dysfunctional-couple-relationship-as-a-centerpiece falls flat because both actors don’t really seem interested - let alone their characters. The best scene in the movie is at the very beginning (the building site in NY). I thought Shyamalan was back on top but it all went downhill from there.
I’m now realising how hard it is to rant about this movie without spoiling the plot…
Shyamalan, were you on set? Did you actually direct these actors, watch the monitor, yell cut and pat them on the back? Seriously… I was shocked at the direction (bar the first couple of scenes). The cinematography was uninspired and not what I’d come to expect from seeing THE SIXTH SENSE, UNBREAKABLE and THE VILLAGE which were all full of beautifully story-led photography. Disappointing.
I’m left confused over Shyamalan now. He’s someone I do really respect but he seems to have lost his way a little. It’s such a shame. Whether it’s more collaboration with a studio or even directing another person’s script I think he needs to maybe change his tack a little.
Either way, it’s a good example for filmmakers to remember for the future…
- Philm
