The Happening Review

[Brando]

Actors: Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, John Leguizamo
Directors: M. Night Shyamalan
Writers: M. Night Shyamalan
Producers: M. Night Shyamalan
Format: NTSC, Widescreen
Number of discs: 1
Rating: R
DVD Release Date: October 7, 2008
Run Time: 90 minutes

I don’t really know what happened. I mean, I know what “The Happening” in M. Night Shyamalan’s 2008 movie involves, but I’m completely lost in trying to determine how such a promising young writer and director could have fallen so far, so fast. The genius behind Sixth Sense and Signs (followed by the above-average Unbreakable) began to fray in 2004, with the confused and generally disliked The Village. Two years later, audiences were even more disappointed with Lady in the Water, despite a good performance from Oscar winner Paul Giamatti. Then came “The Happening” earlier this year. The flick itself received only a fraction of the attention Shyamalan’s previous movies had enjoyed, and studio execs – perhaps even Shyamalan himself – probably know why. This movie is a total, unequivocal mess from beginning to finish, and offers almost no redeeming qualities to the average fan of Hollywood thrillers.

The Happening follows high school science teacher Elliot Moore (Mark Wahlberg), his wife Alma (Zooey Deschanel), and friends Julian (John Leguizamo) and Jess (Ashlyn Sanchez) as they attempt to discover what kind of terrorist threat, disease, or nuclear fallout might be causing thousands upon thousands of northeastern Americans to suddenly thrust themselves out skyscraper windows, pump bullets into their brains, even lay down in front of mulching tractors. As such here’s good warning: this movie is extremely violent at times, and would almost certainly scare a young child. However, the nature of this violence is perhaps its primary strength – at least, for those of you who aren’t squeamish. If Shyamalan can be commended for anything in this movie (and even this is pushing it), it should be for not hiding the violence and horror of “the happening”. The brutality of the movie is perhaps the one thing that draws viewers into this loose, tattered tale.

Indeed, the story is atrociously strewn together. Although I would rarely dock a movie points for topping out at 90 minutes, the film’s length means that it often feels very rushed. There is no buildup before “the happening” unfolds, no character development, no romantic images or feelings for the viewer to cling to. Within the first five minutes of the opening credits, those watching the film are thrust haphazardly into the gaping mouth of “the happening”, gnawed immediately by gore and destruction. Only then are we introduced to the characters with whom we are meant to share the emotional connection so vital to the very best horror films.

There are a great many obstacles blocking this connection, unfortunately. The most damning factors are the film’s writing and acting; the dialogue is perhaps the least believable I have ever heard in a movie. Wahlberg, who I hesitate to rule out as miscast, is nevertheless woefully uncomfortable as lovable science teacher Elliot Moore. Unfortunately, this is a man who beat the living snot out of baddies in flicks like Max Payne and Four Brothers, and his family-friendly classroom banter resembles Charles Bronson coaching a Little League baseball team – it just doesn’t work. Moore’s wife Alma, played by Zoey Deschanel, is an equally unbelievable character. Deschanel and Shyamalan are equally to blame; though Deschanel’s zombie-like big blue eyes, faint, whispering voice, and horrendously-delivered lines make Alma instantly fake and lacking any sincerity, the dialogue she is offered is equally offensive. The personal crisis that arises between Alma and Elliott is so poorly introduced and explained that it seems altogether unnecessary, forced, useless. Wahlberg and Deschanel, who seem to ‘phone it in’ from their first appearances in this movie, do not help.

Perhaps the one bright light in this film is John Leguizamo. Leguizamo has mostly kept away from big-budget Hollywood blockbusters of late, and perhaps this was not the script on which the star of The Summer of Sam should have launched his return to them. His attempt to bring some personality to his character and some emotion to the events surrounding “the happening” is perhaps the most believable, but, alas, Leguizamo is not the lead in this flick. In fact, he isn’t around very long at all. Too bad, really.

It’s hard to talk at great length about the story without giving away its ultimate conclusion, and so I will not. Indeed, the movie’s ending, although not of any paramount satisfaction, will undoubtedly represent the average viewer’s singular saving grace. There were a number of times during this movie when I whispered to my lady friend, “the ending better be good”. It was not, but alas it offered finality. And for a movie of this kind – particularly one with so much promise – finality is necessary.
DVD extras include deleted scenes, a gag reel, and guides to various, difficult scenes from Shyamalan. Many don’t last longer than five minutes, and certainly don’t make this DVD worth a purchase, or rental. If you do happen to actually pick this up, check out “Elements of a Scene”, which interestingly follows the creation of a car crash scene. It’s a nice example of the creativity that goes into a scene like this.

Visually, the movie is good – from Central Park and New York City streets to the lush Pennsylvania countryside, the imagery is first-rate – one of the reasons we should be so disappointed. If one is so devoted to Shyamalan’s previous works that they must even rent this film, Blu-ray might emphasize its superficial strengths. With that said, there is little reason to commend the film’s audio score; neither the music nor effects are memorable.

In fact, the only thing that one might remember about this film is the fact that M. Night Shyamalan cannot be trusted to make good movies. After a stream of major successes (Sixth Sense, Signs, and Unbreakable), that seemed to be the case. In fact, perhaps Hollywood executives loosened Shyamalan’s handcuffs just a bit too much; as writer, director, and producer of The Happening, one gets the feeling that the checks and balances were not in place to prevent such a tragedy from reaching theatres.

In the end, what is clear is this: anyone involved in this movie, from Shyamalan to the actors, has hurt their futures in Hollywood by participating in this terrible film.


And yes, that's half a star.

[Sonnie]

From all accounts I have heard this was a poor movie... no surprises here.

[chas]

Nice review....no sugar coating.

[record_breaker]

Enjoyed your review, although I liked it a little better than you did ,you highlight some of the movies faults very well!

[SteveCallas]

And yet I still really want to see this and likely will The premise has me hooked for whatever reason.

[OvalNut]

Steve,

Trust me on this one... don't see it. It's poorly paced, doesn't sell the premise at all well to aid in the suspension of disbelief, and it's disturbing at many levels.

I rarely say this about a movie, but make a point NOT to see it.


Tim

[Sonnie]

That is exactly what intend to do... make it a point not to see it. The previews never impressed me, although I very much like Mark Wahlberg. I just think he must have picked a bad one.

[SteveCallas]

Ovalnut wrote:

Steve,

Trust me on this one... don't see it. It's poorly paced, doesn't sell the premise at all well to aid in the suspension of disbelief, and it's disturbing at many levels.

I rarely say this about a movie, but make a point NOT to see it.

I.....can't....resist. The idea of large masses of people killing themselves for some reason - why? I must know. I guess I'm willing to sit through 90 minutes of to find out, as I give him credit for at least coming up with a premise that has me this interested. Isn't there a scene where someone lets a lion eat them on purpose?

I suffered through Lady in the Water, and yes, while it was a horrible, horrible movie, it wasn't so bad that I would have preferred to have avoided it all together. I'm in the minority in that I actually didn't think The Village was too bad.....dare I say I actually enjoyed it - the sound was excellent to boot.

For me to advise someone to completely avoid a film would mean that the film is not poorly done, but extremely boring. Citizen Kane comes to mind.

[record_breaker]

SteveCallas wrote:

I.....can't....resist. The idea of large masses of people killing themselves for some reason - why? I must know. I guess I'm willing to sit through 90 minutes of to find out, as I give him credit for at least coming up with a premise that has me this interested. Isn't there a scene where someone lets a lion eat them on purpose?

I suffered through Lady in the Water, and yes, while it was a horrible, horrible movie, it wasn't so bad that I would have preferred to have avoided it all together. I'm in the minority in that I actually didn't think The Village was too bad.....dare I say I actually enjoyed it - the sound was excellent to boot.

For me to advise someone to completely avoid a film would mean that the film is not poorly done, but extremely boring. Citizen Kane comes to mind.

Well if you could set thru Lady in the water, I changed the channel, This one will be worth it to u .
For me there was enough there for me to stick around for the end and to be some what entertain along the way, but thats all (or the very best I can give it).

[Ricci]

LOL! Call it like it is.

I had some friends who went to see this in the theater. Their description was "It sucked".