Not since last years blockbuster thriller The Sixth Sense have I been taken on such a mind-blowing ride. Oh, wait, thats probably because Unbreakable features the exact same actor, Bruce Willis, and just happens to be written and directed by the very same creator, M. Night Shyamalan. Is this a bad thing you may ask? Hell, no.
Bruce Willis plays David Dunn, a blue-collar security guard who emerges as the sole survivor of a fatal train derailment. Enter Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson), a mysterious man who may have the answers as to why Dunn left the tragic event unharmed without a single scratch. I would love to delve into the details, but the less you know, the better. Part of the pleasure of Unbreakable is watching the intricate plot unfurl until it reaches its unfathomable climax.
Like he did with The Sixth Sense, M. Night Shyamalan builds tension with soft-spoken dialogue and subtle realization. I am amazed at the transformation the characters undergo, just as I am by my own alteration in thought. Just as Dunn slowly comes to learn what he is about, I found myself believing in things I never thought were possible. I didnt realize the magnitude of inherent good and evil, but after Unbreakable, I cant help but wonder.
As always, Samuel L. Jackson is in top form as the enigmatic Elijah, and Willis shows us once again why he is Shyamalans chosen leading man. In strong supporting roles, Spencer Treat Clark is endearing as Dunns confused son, and Robin Wright Penn holds her own as the supportive-from-a-distance wife.
Be forewarned, though the story is intriguing and the acting is superb, Unbreakable is not without its flaws. As with its predecessor, the ending is one of amazement, however, this time Shyamalan pushes it too far. Wrapping Unbreakable in a tight little package with the answers laid out on the table is a slap in the face to its thought-provoking tone. I would have preferred the opportunity to draw my own conclusions instead of a lets-end-this-quickly bulletin of what happened.
Unbreakable tends to do what other movies seldom do: get under the skin and crawl around. Its not exactly spooky or scary; its more of an intriguing depiction of good versus evil with a whole lot more going on under the surface.
+ Ashley Adams
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.