Diagonaldi Very well executed

Grimerlana Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Fluentiama Perfect cast and a good story

Organnall Too much about the plot just didn't add up, the writing was bad, some of the scenes were cringey and awkward,

zkonedog When "Lady In The Water" first hit DVD/BluRay in December of 2006, I eagerly snatched it up in anticipation of M. Night Shyamalan's next masterpiece following "The Village". After viewing it at that time, I thought it was one of the worst movies I had ever seen in my life. Six years later, after watching the film again with a younger sibling, I finally was able to understand the overall concept and thoroughly enjoy the experience.For a basic plot summary, "Lady In The Water" takes place in "The Cove", an apartment complex (complete with swimming pool) owned by Cleveland Heep (Paul Giamatti). When a mermaid-like being named Story (Bryce Dallas Howard) suddenly turns up in Heep's pool, an entirely new world (with completely new beings) is discovered, one that Story must get back to at all costs.If you try to compare "Lady in the Water" to M. Night's earlier fare, you will be severely disappointed. This is not a "surprise ending" film, nor is it a psychological thriller. Comparing it to movies like "Signs", "The Sixth Sense", "Unbreakable", & "The Village" is like comparing apples to oranges. When I originally watched the film, I was expecting the past and missed what this movie really is all about.The real genius of this movie? It is essentially a modern-day fairy tale. Based on a bedtime story M. Night told his children that later took on epic proportions, Shyamalan adapted the story into a major motion picture. As such, the story is incredibly original and quite fantastical, filled with imaginative characters and quirky real-life individuals. This project is a labor of love for M. Night, and I respect him for making it and making it well.The only reason I can't give this film a full five stars is because some of the plot points do not exactly line up. Yes, it is a fairy tale, but it is quite a bit fractured at that. It contains nothing "worthy" of the multiple Razzy Awards it ended up winning, but a few points in the film are a bit confusing/nonsensical.Overall, upon second viewing (with a completely different frame of mind), "Lady In The Water" is inches shy of a truly classic film. Once you understand WHY M. Night made the movie, you'll respect it in a completely different light.

Robert Sharkey I have read countless reviews of this movie and it makes me so happy that M has gotten the best of so many people with this movie. The simplicity is the genius behind it. The story and the characters are so much more complex than what you can gather from watching it. It requires one thing to watch a movie and understand what's happening and that's a willing suspension of disbelief. This movie requires two - WSD and Willingness to Understand something you can't actually see because you are distracted by the movie itself looking and seeming dull and uninvolved.THE COVE - is the place where damaged and strange outcasts all wind up (a cove by definition is a small SHELTERED bay) Mr. HEEP - (heap - a messy pile or great amount of stress put upon someone) Harry Farber - Cleveland's emptiness & loneliness unimpressed and uninvolved Story - Cleveland's fragile faith in god or love or life needing to be savedThese are just a FRACTION of the subtle genius in this film.Spend some time considering that this movie is probably one of the most well- developed and thoughtful ideas every put on screen. The only issue is that M's vision was so advanced not everyone can see it.

shanshan298 I really enjoyed the movie and this movie is not bad at all. No famous actors and a lot of "normal" people. Very good movie in my opinion. Maybe not as good as other films of the same director (The Sixth Sense, village), but it's definitely a good movie that u can benefit from . This is also great movie plurality of meanings with a great cast proves again that Shyamalan, the director even though he is one of the directors at the most professional and interesting work in industry. The story is the imagination of the creator of the film, he decided to tell his children before bedtime and turn it into a film. Very interesting. Worth a watch.

iris-59130 I have to say, I was doubtful at first, but was quickly drawn in by the mixed media storyline, the world-class cast and truly enigmatic cinematography - it was surprising, refreshing and captivating to me … and I loved the whole symbolism drawn from an ancient fairy tale. Also the single setting around the apartment block felt almost 'Hitchcock' and I found quite some film-noir angles were used to great effect. The whole mood of the movie kept me engaged and that doesn't happen too often. Also the characters I found, were extremely interesting, even on a macro level. I guess to an audience that has already 'awakened' in some form - dare I say 'spiritual' - this movie is much more than just good fantasy entertainment. I find it highly underrated … so give it an 8 out of 10!