What’s Aged the Worst?
Shyamalan’s twist formula; self-casting; Collette’s accent; Malcolm as psychologist
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 00:34:11Read transcript
- Collette’s accent sounds closer to Brooklyn than Philadelphia, though the film’s slightly unusual manner makes it workable.
- Shyamalan’s twist factory and stilted dialogue work especially well here but become liabilities with other actors and stories.
- Lady in the Water’s monster killing a film critic is criticized.
- Shyamalan casting himself as the doctor is an early display of the self-confidence that later enabled his comeback.
- Willis is not fully convincing as a child psychologist, and the treatment of childhood mental health is questioned.
- The mayor’s award is suspect given Malcolm’s neglectful conduct on the Vincent therapy recording.
- Shyamalan is the category’s final choice for the material his later career provides.