Unbreakable (2000)

Allow me to be so bold, but Unbreakable is one of the finest examples of storytelling to come along in this decade. Despite what you may think of director M. Night Shyamalan or the hype behind him, Unbreakable stands on it's own merit.

The strongest element of the film is its screenplay and while it may contain supernatural overtones, it is the humanity that ultimately shines through. Character-centered, the film relies on Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson to deliver performances of a lifetime and they do. Willis is deceptively understated as David Dunn--an average man, we discover, with extraordinary abilities. Jackson gives a finely nuanced performance as Elijah Price, aka, Mr. Glass. The rapport between these two--the crux of our screenplay is phenomenal.

The aesthetic of the film, allow me my studious glasses and pipe, is subtly artful. Those who has seen Unbreakable will agree that Shyamalan's direction here is calculated, each step with detailed purpose, but he does so ever so slyly, that the viewer doesn't shoulder the immensity of it until after the fact. Notice how Shyamalan frames each frame--literally, as if, we the viewers, are looking in. His reverence for the graphic novel is apparent in retrospect.

The film's colourings and James Howard's scoring compliment the director's vision exponentially. Not to be overlooked, is our supporting cast of Robin Wright Penn as Audrey Dunn, David's wife and Spencer Treat Clark as David's young son, Joseph. Clark plays a crucial role in David's evolution. Imagine a young boy latching on the notion 'my dad is a superhero'. Joseph's confrontation with his father is influential in the turning of the film's tide.

Unbreakable is a slow burn and for the general masses, I think, it's the film's downfall. But for me, the pacing is representative of Dunn's self denial and discovery. The origins of good and evil--the righteousness of both, is not something easily digested in any media, but in context here, Shyamalan makes a sound exploration of them both.

Unbreakable's climax is its crowing glory. The realization for Dunn and the viewer, I like to think, is equally breath-taking.

As I see it, Unbreakable is a riveting, moody piece that I can't help falling more in love with each time I view it. Seeing it again tonight, renewed by passion for this brilliant movie. Unbreakable is an unassuming masterpiece that is simply a must see.