The Happening Offers an Interesting Take on the Condition of the Universe.
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The Happening suggests our recent global efforts at “going green” may be a tad too late as Mother Nature abruptly turns herself on us.
Written by BHM Contributor Horror Queen
June 11, 2008
Release: June 13, 2008
Written and Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring:
Mark Wahlberg as Elliot Moore
Zooey Deschanel as Alma Moore
John Leguizamo as Julian
Ashlyn Sanchez as Jess
Betty Buckley as Mrs. Jones
Although the exact details of the how or why of nature’s turn are left to the imagination, it appears toxins in the environment suddenly work their way from plants and trees into the brains of human beings – human beings in the Northeastern United States that is. This may be because those on the West Coast are admittedly a bit touched already.
Writer / Director M. Night Shyamalan of The Sixth Sense and Signs fame apparently got the idea for this film while driving through the New Jersey countryside, and what an idea it was. Whereas most sci-fi thrillers depict human beings facing an extra- terrestrial attack or natural disaster as being in survival mode, it appears this condition drives us instead into panic and suicide. So beginning in Central Park and traveling from major cities to rural neighborhoods, people are dropping like flies – jumping off buildings, shooting themselves, etc. Quite a perplexing scenario for characters like our hero Elliot (played by Mark Wahlberg), a passionate high school science teacher who until this happened was busy encouraging his students to contemplate the fascinating mystery behind the disappearance of some honey bees. Who knew?
In addition to his inquisitiveness, Elliot is quite a likeable character and resourceful enough to find a way out of the city, along with his not-so-happy and visibly puzzled wife, Alma (played by Zooey Deschanel). Actually Alma has all the warmth and personality of a doorknob but other than that the two seem like an ordinary couple with potential given 1. She doesn’t leave him for someone else and 2. They can make it through the demise of mankind.
Elliot’s friend Julian (played by John Leguizamo) accompanies them on the journey but gets separated from the group, leaving his eight-year-old daughter Jess with Elliot and Alma. The sudden family nucleus brings out Alma’s previously absent nurturing side. Unfortunately this growth in character is as contrived as Deschanel’s performance in general.
Don’t get me wrong. Aside from the tiresome melodrama of the main characters’ relationship, The Happening definitely has its good points. In fact the story as a whole is fascinating, and it’s quite remarkable to watch what’s going on here – beautiful green serene rolling hills and quaint farms juxtaposed against large groups of wandering people suddenly overtaken by something and offing themselves one by one. And when they don’t have a gun handy they come up with some pretty creative alternatives. Let’s just say Grandpa’s Rototiller will never be the same, not to mention Grandpa.
One colorful character is Mrs. Jones (played by Betty Buckley of Carrie fame), a recluse living in the middle of nowhere without access to media and thus no knowledge of what’s going on outside her farm house. George Bush who? Our traveling trio wanders up to Mrs. Jones’ door by accident and she hesitatingly invites them to stay. “Who’s chasing whom?” Mrs. Jones boldly asks the couple at dinner, explaining that in all relationships one person is chasing the other. Rather poignant in this instance and in the case of humanity in general when you think about it. However with our apathy toward Elliot and Alma’s marriage and death literally at the doorstep, it hardly seems important that the couple take this opportunity to work on their issues.
But work on their issues they do and throughout The Happening we are faced with two questions. First, does love conquer all? And second, should I still buy that hybrid vehicle? Hint: if you do, be sure to load it up with a map and a few gas masks!
Horror Queen Says: A Bloody Thumbs Up!
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