Review of Lady in the Water (2006) by Lewis C — 15 Jun 2010

M. Night Shyamalan's Lady in the Water shows inklings of creative imagination. Not much else.For the most part, the entire 100+ minute run time creeps by with a loitering pace. It is a shame because there are some fun ideas behind it all, but the chosen setting, which is one apartment complex, and characters aren't the best way to exhibit them.

The animation introduction and narration does a good job at setting up the rest of the film; however, it goes downhill from there. The characters are uninteresting, there isn't much in the way of surprises, and the film becomes a bore, despite the amusing concept of the story.

On a positive note, the CG effects are rather good for what little visual fantasy elements appear on screen.All around, the acting is mediocre at best with Paul Giamatti leading the way. This goes back to the way the characters are written.

M. Night even finds the time to cast himself as one of the major supporting characters. That certainly isn't the best move in his career.All in all, The Lady in the Water is a bedtime story. It just needs a makeover.