A young man who was born in India but grew up in a posh, preppie, leafy suburb of Philadelphia decided to change his name. His parents, both physicians, emigrated to the United States, and eventually their son, Manoj Nelliyattu Shyamalan, would become M. Night Shyamalan. He was fascinated by movies and, as a kid, created scores of homemade efforts. He adored the work of Alfred Hitchcock. He wanted to be a famous filmmaker. Horror thrillers made by someone named M. Night would certainly seem scarier with that moniker, so he adopted it while in college.
After shooting two low-budget features, Shyamalan made "The Sixth Sense," the 1999 movie in which Haley Joel Osment sees "dead people." Audiences flocked to it. Shyamalan's life hasn't been the same since, but unfortunately, neither have his movies.
It's been a slow decline from that smash hit through "Unbreakable," "Signs," "The Village," "Lady in the Water," and now "The Happening." I know there are people who think "Lady in the Water" is one of the worst films ever made, but believe me, Shyamalan's new effort makes that work seem positively lyrical.
In "The Happening," we're in Central Park in New York City. After a brief introduction, something in the air soon causes people to stop whatever they're doing, slide into a trance, possibly begin babbling, perhaps walk backwards, and eventually commit suicide. At one point, construction workers hurl themselves off a tall building, one by one.
Cut to Philadelphia, where the population decides to flee because of what's going on in Manhattan. The mystery vapor will strike the City of Brotherly Love, but the panic is a little bit premature.
Mark Wahlberg is a high school science teacher who gets to his wife (Zooey Deschanel) and flees Philly by train with fellow teacher John Leguizamo and his sweet-faced daughter.
Soon the train is forced to stop and the riders will have fend for themselves and go their own way. Wahlberg and company will find a car in which to ride. Then after that is abandoned, they will set out on foot for space from the vapor -- or whatever it is that's sweeping over the Northeast. It's not terrorism, because we are told terrorists wouldn't be able to coordinate such a wacky coup de grace to east coast society.
At one point, Wahlberg et al. find themselves in the countryside near Harrisburg and what seems like Three Mile Island, but that nugget is ignored. A farmhouse offers refuge, but the crazy old lady who owns it (Betty Buckley) resembles Norman Bates' mother, albeit alive and kicking.
Not for nothing is the movie called "The Happening," which was also the name of a 1967 film about hippies and love-ins and the kidnapping of a Mafia kingpin for whom no one wanted to pay ransom. In Shyamalan's movie, love will conquer all. Wahlberg and the missus are having some kind of tiff, but that really isn't explained. She seems distant, or about as distant as Deschanel can muster since she can't act. We will find out that she had dessert with a co-worker, which gives us one more reason to laugh at this piffle. But I think that's about as much as I should tell you about the goings on.
As for this movie as entertainment, well, it's not very good. The dialogue, written by the director, is ludicrous and often downright silly. Regardless of how awful the situation seems, or how many dead people turn up in various mangled positions, some bozo will invariably ask why when they are told to close a window.
It doesn't help that the acting is atrocious. The usually talented Leguizamo is wasted. As alluded to, Deschanel has no talent to waste, and Wahlberg is over his head as a science teacher. He's often called upon to explain the bizarre occurrences, but he comes across as more of a lunkheaded gym teacher than anything else.
The spreading toxin that is creating havoc seems to be coming from the earth's greenery, but I'll let Wahlberg explain that theory for you, should you opt to see the movie. There are a lot of wind-through-the-willows moments.
But what is Shyamalan's point? That trees and grass are dangerous? That deserts are better? That we should talk to our bushes on the way out the door?
The movie is rated R for graphic violence, because Shyamalan has gone for gore rather than suspense. In one scene, a man lies down in front of a riding lawn mower so that he can be turned into bloody mulch. The suicides are disturbing, but after a while they become campy and unintentionally hilarious.
The only real tension comes from wondering when the thing is going to end. Blessedly, it's quickly. Though the film is short at around 90 minutes, it seems longer. Slowly, steadily, alas not creepily, you become uninvolved in the movie, creepy boredom at least being promising.
As for the ending, it's cornball and not particularly creative. "Twilight Zone" episodes have better finishes. Remember the question mark at the close of the original "The Blob"? Or the little offspring creature making an appearance as "Species" ends? Shyamalan doesn't offer a hint, but goes straight for the obvious. He has exhausted his talents.
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | June 17 2008 |