Review of Lady in the Water (2006) by Thomas J — 05 Sep 2010

This is one of the rare cases where I do not quite see what I loved about the film the first time I watched it. Sure, the fable-like introduction sets up an interesting premise, but later the movie is oddly torn between taking itself a bit too seriously and making fun of the aspects of storytelling.

The acting is top notch, especially by Paul Giamatti, and some of the minor characters are wonderfully odd and unusual. If you're able to suspend disbelief and take is as the fairy tale that it is, there is some fun to have with this film.

The solution feels somewhat random though and the aspect of fateful peaces falling into place has already been part of Shyamalan's "Signs" and so much better there, too. Still, an entertaining and somewhat charming film, for what it's worth.

But somehow it touched me more the first time I watched it.