Customer Reviews

Lady in the Water (Combo HD DVD and Standard HD DVD)

5 star:		(132)
4 star:		(85)
3 star:		(54)
2 star:		(54)
1 star:		(77)

 

 

I must admit that my children and myself were the only ones in the theatre laughing at the many humorous moments in the movie. I am not sure why everyone was not enjoying themselves and when I got home and read the many critical reviews posted online I began to understand. This movie is not hitting home with a majority of the viewers, and it is too bad because on first viewing it appeared to me to be one of the best modern fairy tales that I have seen. I believe a part of the problem is that the trailer I saw for the film misrepresents it as a horror film. Then I believe many people are unwilling to go along with the fairy tale premise. This is a fairy tale. It is a bedtime story. So sit back relax and enjoy the story. It is a wonderful modern myth that speaks to larger issues of faith and who we are on a personel level. The movie is wonderfully shot, told, and presented. I enjoyed the way the story unfolds and the many very funny scenes. It is difficult to tell this type of story without losing the audience part way through and I felt Shyamalan did a masterful job of holding things together. This was the kind of filmgoing experience I was hoping for from Terry Gilliam's "The Brother's Grimm" but was horribly dissapointed. If you like modern day fairy tales, like good humor and are not easily confused then I would highly recommend this film. From the negative reviews I have seen and the audience I saw the film with, this film is not for everyone, but I found it a real gem.

I think this is one of the most underrated films of the century. The bad reviews baffle me quite a bit because this has become one of my all time favourites. Lady in the Water reminds us of the magic that we left behind as we grew out of childhood. It shows us that we all have a place in life, no matter how trivial we think it is. This is a fairy tale for grown ups.

In addition to being visually stunning in every way, Lady in the Water has just the right balance of action, horror, drama and comedy, supported by a great cast of actors that bring everything to this story.

I am very much moved by this film and it is one of the few that I can watch again and again. If you have just a little fraction left of that innocent, inner child, then you will surely find the magic here as well.

M. Night Shyamalan doesn't do plain movies. As an artists he has his own unique approach of seeing extraordinary tales in mundane things whether its aliens, mythical beasts, ghosts or a mysterious azure pool. This tale is like no other, perhaps can be thought of as a tale of good and evil, of human purpose, common ground and understanding. When a mysterious pale woman with red hair saves an apartment superintendent, who looked like he gave up upon falling into the pool, simply because he didn't see a purpose to living, she brings hope and a sense of purpose to him and other tenants. Together they try to figure out who she is and why she came into their lives.

Story, is the name of the woman, perhaps those who save the Village, recognize her as the blind brave daughter Ivy Walker, takes on another roles this time as a narf, a word that does not really exist in an English dictionary but a word that takes on meaning by the time the movie ends. She is a fairy like creature that is on a mission and needs help from Cleveland Heep the stuttering superintendent who loses his stutter and finds his true calling. She needs to find a safe passage back to her own world, which is guarded by an evil wolf like beast, invisible to all but those who know how to find it. Together all the characters have to decipher the answers behind what she says and in all reality they have to save the modern world. She tells one of them that he will be a great orator and his book will change the world, cease wars and bring peace, she tells another that he can heal; others learn that they will have profound impact on the feuding life and who will improve life around them if they take the risks and do what she says.

This was a visually stunning and memorable movie, with hair rising music and some really jumpy special effects, especially with the wolf. Yes there are monsters and there are casualties but then there is a sense of purpose, of a mystery coming together brought upon this mysterious creature, who in my interpretation is an angel. She brings hope and love and unites those who sulk and lose their touch. It's a beautiful story that leaves one thinking long after leaving the theater, a story that feeds the soul and feeds a hungry mind ready for something different. It's a fairy tale that leaves one feeling good and light, with hope and understanding of the future. M. Night Shyamalan is such a fantasy wizard that no matter how outrageous his stories are they have a ring to truth about them. I can't wait to see what he cooks up next, for he is fabulous for those who like something special.

- Kasia S.

An apartment building superintendent named Cleveland who discovers a magical sea-nymph named Story who's been transported to this world and is living in the building's own swimming pool. As this bizarre revelation sinks in, Cleveland becomes enraptured by her other-worldly charm. As he shelters her in his apartment, other inhabitants of the building begin falling into place as representations of characters from an Eastern myth in which these mermaids, or "narfs," co-exist unhappily with more beastly and violent characters. In human reality, the forces of darkness that threaten the heroes of a fairy tale prove to be much more terrifying, and the victory of good over evil is by no means guaranteed. "Lady in the Water" has a wonderful cast, the script is well written and at times funny, the plot is very simple and straightforward but towards the end of the movie is quite touching. This movie doesn't talk down to its audience but its content is fantastical and fairytale-ish. A grown-up "bedtime story" that is fantastic and thoroughly enjoyable.

'Shyamalan's latest film is a quirky art film with a fairy tale sensibility. The story revolves around a sad disillusioned man, Cleveland Heep, who has given up everything after the loss of his family. Heep discovers a mystical creature, a narf, in the pool of the apartment complex he manages. Malevolent forces lurk in the gardens around the pool which she must be protected against. Ultimately this magical creature must be restored from whence she came. This quest to save the narf ends up involving many of the oddball yet normal apartment dwellers Heep has come to know over time. In the process of saving this creature, he find his own redemption and possibly hope for the future of our world.

This move has an enchanting storyline with intricate plot twists. The main stars, Paul Giamatti and Bryce Howard, are perfectly cast. Shyamalan plays a small, yet compelling role in the film. The look of the film is unadorned-these are ordinary people pursuing ordinary lives. There is humor and pathos in the lives of these people. Yet, when galvanized by the hope of something out of the ordinary and an opportunity to do good, these "normal" people gather around and give their all. In essence this film shows the magic of the everday.

This is a fairy tale on film-with all the strangeness and skewed logic of the fairy tale world. Not for those who are looking for a slick Hollywood film.

I know I'm late to the party on this one. I don't love all Shyamalan's work. The Sixth Sense and Signs being the exceptions. I don't fault the guy for following his heart and producing work that appeals to him. That being said-not eveything that speaks to you will speak to others..and I wanted this one to stop talking somewhere around the middle. I don't see how any one is riveted to watching a bunch of people run around an apartmentment building just going: Are you the guardian? Are you the healer? It just came off silly. Now-reflectively: I think this story would have worked better as a novel. Which goes to show that everything doesn't translate well on film.
Giamatti,the only shining star (in IMHO) looks like a Oscar nominated star accidently cast in a high school production. He clearly outshines everyone around him. Byrce needs to stay away from Shyamalan if she has any hope of savaging her career. (I wasn't thrilled with the Village either). I don't want to just blast this production-so I kept telling myself to think of SOMETHING I liked and the only answer I came up with was: Giamatti.

A suspense thriller with excellent imagination and creative story line.
Even with its few parts that might be considered kinda "cheesy" the movie
still holds a strong and eerie ambiance to it that can "haunt" one for
long after.

It's a Bed Time story. I think that people have a problem with Lady in the Water because they are expecting it to be like all the other M. Night Shyamalan movies with a huge surprise at the end. Well, this is not like any of his movies ever made.
He wrote this for his kids.
If the viewer goes into this movie with the imagination and heart of a little kid (as us grown ups should do once and a while ), then they will enjoy this movie.
Don't try to make logic out of a Bed Time story.
This is a great character based movie. Giamatti is at his best. I like Bryce Dallas Howard, I feel that her voice can carry emotion. I found Lady in the Water to be full of imagination, excitement, humor, and Hope. That everyone has a purpose.
It made me want to write my own Bed Time Story for my kids.

To appreciate this brilliant film, look under the surface. Yes, the story is far-fetched and totally unbelievable, but it's supposed to be, because it's a fable.

My life has been in the dumps for the last five years due to a divorce coupled with a fruitless desire for a woman I can't possess. This film is about overcoming grief, hardship, and disappointment, about finding or rediscovering a purpose for living, for going on. Very important also is the idea of looking around and taking stock of the people in your life. It just so happens that I've had people right under my nose for the longest time whom I've not taken the time to appreciate, people who care about me and want to see me become a happier, healthier person.

I bought this film on a lark and I'm awfully glad I did.

I love this movie.It's a creepy and kind of haunting fairytale.I stumbled upon this movie one night on HBO and from the moment it started I was hooked.A real life fairytale that isnt so sweet.You have to see this.