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| Directed by M. Night Shyamalan Starring: Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, Robin Wright Penn, Spencer Treat Clark Producers: M. Night Shyamalan, Barry Mendel, Sam Mercer Screenplay: M. Night Shyamalan Distributor: Touchstone Pictures |
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Rating:  (out of )With the pressure to produce a strong follow-up to the thriller The Sixth Sense, director M. Night Shyamalan has crafted another winner here with Unbreakable. There are striking similarities between the films, including the dark feel of the picture and a surprise ending. To be honest, the ending was unnecessary because the film had already succeeded in its task of defining the main characters and explaining a story. Even so, this film is an intriguing look at a different perspective regarding super heroes. David Dunne (Bruce Willis) is the lone survivor in a horrific train wreck that left hundreds dead. It's not only a miracle that he survived, but there's not a scratch on him. This scene in the hospital was crafted well, as you see other families crowded in a hall, watching him walk by in disbelief. Dunne's son is already suspicious that his dad is something special and this confirms that belief. Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson) seeks out Dunne because he has been looking for people like him, people who have obvious gifts. Dunne denies this by proving he was in a car accident and was injured, although later we find out he was lying to protect himself and his wife, played by Robin Wright Penn. He has a weakness though, like all super heroes, and can't be submerged in water or he'll drown. In the end, Dunne reluctantly accepts his role as a secret super hero by saving the life of a woman abducted by a killer. Bruce Willis is not as strong here as he was in The Sixth Sense, but he is still adequate for his character. Jackson is also a little below average for him, but that's still a fine performance. There are a few scenes between Willis and Penn that are a bit out of place for the film, but they are convincing even if they belong in another picture. Unbreakable is crafted well, and though it's slow-moving for most of the picture, it offers several different perspectives of what people think of Dunne. All of them have a different opinion, and we only know who's correct at the end of the picture when Dunne and his son are eating breakfast and looking at the morning paper. Although not as strong as The Sixth Sense, this movie is still a solid effort by most standards, and it looks as though Shyamalan has a bright future ahead of him. © 2001 Jonathan Cornwell | |||
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| Masterpiece - Movie perfection |
 | Excellent - One of the best films of the year |
| Good - Recommended |
| Fair - Worth a look |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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