Signs
Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Abigail Breslin, Rory Culkin, Cherry Jones
Rated: PG-13 for some frightening moments
Parental Notes: “Signs” is aimed at the adult crowd, and more mature teens may enjoy it. Youngsters will likely find it alternately dull and terrifying, as some of the more suspenseful scenes are quite intense.
There are directors whose style is unmistakable, and if you know you like their movies you can go see their newest knowing with very little uncertainty that you will enjoy it. Writer-director M. Night Shyamalan is very much in that camp. If you enjoyed “The Sixth Sense” and “Unbreakable,” you will undoubtedly love “Signs.”
“Signs” is an alien invasion tale that is less about creatures from another world and more about humans’ faith in the existence of God. Graham Hess (Mel Gibson) is a former priest who lives with his family on a farm in a lovely house surrounded by cornfields. When some of his corn is flattened into a huge, circular design, he and his brother Merrill (Joaquin Phoenix) assume that it’s the work of some local punks. However, other crop circles begin appearing around the world with increasing rapidity, and Graham’s young children take up the idea that they are the work of aliens.
As more and more signs of impending alien invasion begin to appear, Graham must decide what is the best thing for his family. More importantly, he must confront the collapse of his faith six months previously when his wife was killed.
“Signs” is simultaneously meditative and hair-raisingly frightening. The increase in tension is exquisitely paced, and the audience is pulled deeper and deeper into the story as the characters try to find ways of dealing with the increasingly frightening events that surround them.
It is difficult to discuss the film too deeply without giving away much of the pleasure it affords the viewer. Shyamalan constructs plots so tightly that every throwaway detail is important, no casual comment can be ignored, and everything is somehow vital to the story. Far from making the story predictable, it gives viewers the joy of piecing the puzzle together. Unlike all too many filmmakers, Shyamalan assumes that his audience is not only intelligent but involved in the story rather than watching passively. He makes us care about his characters, and then rewards us for doing so.
The actors’ work is all extremely natural, their characters and their performances very understated. Even the children, played by Rory Culkin (one of Macaulay Culkin’s numerous siblings) and newcomer Abigail Breslin, come across as if they weren’t acting at all. Shyamalan has the delightful ability to coax amazing performances out of children as well as adults.
Likewise impressive is Shyamalan’s ability to make a truly frightening film that is not only slow and thoughtful, but also ultimately life-affirming and filled with hope. “Signs” is not your typical summer brain-candy flick. It is a cinematic dish to be savored, examined, and discussed later with your friends.