M. Night Shayamalan's Wet Lady

Given the reviews and material, I'm doubtful a ton of you have raced off to see M. Night's newest film, Lady in the Water. I, however, was really excited to see it since I've been waiting since "The Village" for him to make something new.

Generally speaking I think his films are marketed horribly and thus ill received by critics and public alike. This film though, this film he wrote, directed, *and* produced.

Oh yeah, and starred in.

I read some scatching reviews on this film with such hurtful words I winced for the hero-director. I couldn't actually bring myself to read some of them because they were so terrible.

"For a movie constantly explaining itself, M. Night Shyamalan's Lady in the Water doesn't make a drop of sense."
-- Jeffrey Westhoff, NORTHWEST HERALD (CRYSTAL LAKE, IL)

"When it's over you think: 'Really? That was it?' Maybe that's the twist."
-- Eric D. Snider, ERICDSNIDER.COM

"Shyamalan's most alienating and self-absorbed project to date."
-- Lisa Schwarzbaum, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

And those are not even some of the worst ones. The saddest part is that I really wanted to like this film, and I ended up agreeing with all three of those critics.

Seeing him act in his own films, while a little jarring since it removes me even further from the story is forgivable since he's a decent enough actor. What really bothered me was the purpose of his character -- he who shall propel the human race to peace and prosperity through his writings. It kind of made me gag on my tongue a little bit.

The rest of it just made me feel insulted. Do you really think I'm so dumb that I need to you to beat me over the head with every minute detail? And if not, do you really think I want to pay my hard earned money to watch you explain away everything in your film? No.

Deconstructing the film could be an interesting excercise, his use of a fairytale to compose a narrative that is designed to make you feel like you are watching that deconstruction just seems pointless. Except in some bizarre world where self-absorbtion and self-reflection are things people want to see.

Maybe some do.

The saddest part is I love M. Night Shayamalan's work. I love his originality, innovation, and ethereal mystique.

I won't be waiting for the next one and I'm sorely disappointed by that.