The Happening

Rating: out of
Released: 2008
Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel


What is it about?

Something in the air is causing people to kill themselves. A couple (Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel) try to survive.

Who made it?

Writer / director M. Night Shyamalan previously directed THE SIXTH SENSE, UNBREAKABLE, SIGNS and more.

Is is any good?

I should be honest and say that I have only liked one Night film, UNBREAKABLE. I admire him as a filmmaker, but can't say I've liked his films.

With the bad word of mouth THE HAPPENING has received, it actually made me want to see it more. UNBREAKABLE also received bad word of mouth and I loved that film.

So, I went in to this hoping for more of the same.

The good news, Night's visual style is still there. Shots are perfectly composed. There are some creepy moments of people committing suicide.

The bad news?

Everything else.

I like the cast members. Mark Wahlberg has proven himself to be a good actor. Zooey is always a welcome presence. I will see any and every film she does.

Because I like them I will just say this isn't there finest hour and a half on film. Most likely due to Night's direction.

There are moments in the film, lines of dialogue that aren't just cringe inducing, they make you laugh for all the wrong reasons. As bad as the "Swing Away" line in SIGNS

Just a few of the moments:

* The zoo scene (did anyone watch this before adding it to the finished film?)

* The hot dog discussion.

* Wahlberg's "Oh no" line reading.

* Zooey's talk about what the media will think of them being uninterested bystanders.

* "Superfluous"

So, this is not another underrated UBREAKABLE. It may be more watchable than his last few films, if only because it is less than 90 minutes and never really dull. But, there is no reason to see it.

Other than for camp value.

Reviewed by: Jim Magovern

Jun 13,2008