Movie Review of The Happening. Review on The Happening Movie

Director– Manoj “Night” Shyamalan

Screenplay– Manoj “Night” Shyamalan

Plot

In New York City , a strange phenomenon has happened. All of a sudden, people are becoming like zombies and killing themselves. What is initially thought as a terrorist chemical attack, is found out to be something different. This enemy has no face. It has no 5 senses. It is invisible. It is nature.

Apparently, trees, plants and all other flora and fauna have started to release toxic chemical gases which get carried by winds and whoever happens to smell it(which is practically everyone), gets a neurological disorder where they instantly kill themselves. In midst of this crisis, a young science teacher, Elliot(Mark Wahlberg) and wife Alma(Zooey Deschanel) flee the city of Philadelphia where the virus may be heading towards the west of the country along with Elliot’s friend and math’s teacher, Julian(John Leguizamo) and his daughter Jess(Ashlyn Sanchez).

But wherever they go, the virus has spread rapidly. Now the only option is to outrun the virus in places where its not yet attacked. However when it comes to nature, there are some things which are unexplained.

Critic’s Comments

Shyamalan has got back to what he is doing best, making movies with the supernatural element. Mark Wahlberg has acted well and the rest of the star cast has been good as well. With minimal use of special effects, Shyamalan has managed to create a thriller without any of the clichéd elements. The script may be a bit oft-repeated but the treatment is better. Comparisons with The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable are inevitable, but then even Shyamalan will find it difficult to match to the standards he has set. After the disastrous, Lady in the water, Shyamalan has finally come out with a movie that was expected from him. This is one person who is going the Hitchcock way and making movies with subjects that no one else will have the mindset to make. Good movie and worth watching on a dark rainy night.

Psst –

*1) Shyamalan purposely released the film worldwide on 13th June 2008 which is Friday the 13th. Supposed to be a very unlucky day according to many people world wide.

2) The movie was written specifically with Wahlberg in mind.

3) Movie was shot in 44 days starting 6th August 2007. Exactly 9 years after The Sixth Sense in 1999. Post production took nearly 8 months.

4) Director Trademark – Shooting in hometown Philadelphia and black humor amongst thriller scenes. Another trademark, haunting music by favorite, James Newton Howard.

5) Made on a budget of $57 million (Quite high for a film of this stature), it grossed $30 million in the opening weekend in USA alone.

6) This was the first mainstream hollywood production venture for Indian Company UTV and its honchos – Ronnie and Zarina Screwvalla.*

Quotes

1)       “An event is happening.”

2)       “I’d thought I’d say it before I die.”

3)       “Nature is trying to tell us something here. Its like a spot of rash.”

*Oops-

I was quite engrossed. Didn’t see any goofs.*