Lady in the Water

M Night Shyamalan is famous for films that scare us in order to warm our hearts.

Sixth Sense, Signs and The Village are all ultimately comforting although their narratives are scary at times. Lady in the Water is no exception.

Based on a bedtime story Shyamalan made up for his kids, the film focuses on Cleveland Heep, caretaker of the Cove apartment complex. Heep lost his family some years ago and has since lived a quiet and introverted existence.

Then one night a mysterious girl, Story, enters his life from a place unknown. With help from some of the residents of the Cove complex he slowly pieces together Story’s tale.

It soon becomes clear that Heep has a bigger part to play in Story’s life that he originally realised, and that the residents of the Cove will have to help him if he is to save her.

As in most of Shyamalan’s films, the heroes are oblivious to the fact that they are such, and for most of it so is the viewer. It’s only at the final moment that the foundations of the story become apparent.

There has been much controversy over Lady in the Water from the very beginning due to artistic differences that Shyamalan had with Disney, who had made his previous four films. As a result it ended up being produced by Warner Brothers.

This is a particularly personal film for Shyamalan, not only because he created the idea for his children, but because he stars in it himself.

He always has cameos in his films but in this one he plays a bigger role, that of a struggling writer. It is a fitting part that makes the film seem all that more real and natural.

The film also stars Bryce Dallas Howard, who plays Ivy Walker in The Village. This continuity in actors is another thing for which Shyamalan is known. He also used Bruce Willis and Joaquin Phoenix in successive films.

The DVD extras contribute to the magic. The Audition tapes are definite filler but Reflections of Lady in the Water and Lady in the Water: A Bedtime Story definitely add to the enjoyment of the film.

This is a truly beautiful film created and varnished with love and to be watched with patience. It is a must-see for anyone who fondly remembers the magic of childhood stories, and who loves to find beauty in unexpected places.

Shyamalan has created yet another masterpiece.