REEL CRITICS

‘Unbreakable’ at box office, but critical miss

Some years ago at a film school, after viewing a movie brought by the

man responsible for the about-to-be-released opus, someone in the

audience asked, “Sir, if you wrote, directed and produced this movie, who

was around to say ‘No’?”

The man from Hollywood admitted it was a valid question.

The same might be asked of M. Night Shyamalan about his latest film,

“Unbreakable,” riding high in box office response but not really

deserving it.

Shyamalan did a remarkable job on his first production, “The Sixth

Sense,” a sweet, sensitive and well-acted story of a man on a special

mission. So the powers-that-be in the movie world gave him free rein, and

lots of money, for his follow-up endeavor.

Shyamalan undoubtedly has cinematic talent and is, currently and

deservedly, a presence to be noted by both the moviegoing public and the

industry. This film, however, will not give him added stature, no matter

what the box office total.

Supposedly a parable about good versus evil, “Unbreakable” opens with

the birth of a black baby in a Philadelphia department store in 1961.

Spring forward to present day to meet a wooden, phlegmatic David Dunn

(Bruce Willis), who has a humdrum job as a security guard at the

University of Philadelphia stadium.

Returning to the City of Brotherly Love from New York, there is a

train wreck. Everyone on the train is killed except Dunn, who emerges

without a scratch.

Subsequently, Dunn makes contact with Elijah Price (Samuel L.

Jackson), who has left an enigmatic note on his windshield saying, “When

was the last time you were sick?”

Price is the owner of an art gallery that specializes in original

comic book drawings, as well as videos of all, not just the major, comic

book productions. He is suave, intelligent and totally dedicated to his

goals.

But presenting the world of comics as symbolic of history -- you know,

good guys victorious over bad guys every time -- and applying that

concept to a 21st century Armageddon is not successful in this instance

-- either in place, personas or predicaments.

The question for this reviewer became: Just what are Price’s goals,

and why does Dunn figure in them at all?

Truth be told, there are so many questions raised by sequences in this

movie, so many characteristics that beggar acceptance, so many artsy

effects that divert the audience but do not clarify the motivations of

the chief characters, that one has to accept the sequence of events as

moral engagements. Price describes them as a “game.”

Oddly enough, whether it’s the special effects, a desire to see Willis

come alive and bite into his role, a hope to see some satisfying

resolution or something else, many viewers find themselves engrossed

watching “Unbreakable” to the end.

If you’re a film buff, like this reviewer, go see it. Otherwise, rent

it.

“Unbreakable” is rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements, including

some disturbing violent content and for a crude sexual reference.

* ELEANOR HUMPHREY, “over 65,” lives in Costa Mesa and is a political

junkie involved with several city committees.

Save predictable ‘Bounce’ for small screen This film has “Bounce,”

though there is a crash. The opening scene in the airport deals with

every traveler’s worst nightmare realized. Long waits in interminable

lines, canceled flights, short tempers and promises made but left

unfulfilled.

Ben Affleck is Buddy Amaral -- Mr. Charm, handsome, glib, successful.

He lives for himself with sparse concern for his fellow man or woman. In

a rare moment of selflessness, he gives up his seat on the next flight to

Los Angeles to a man he has just met, Greg Janello (Tony Goldwyn). The

plane crashes.

The plot is somewhat predictable, although the scenes showing the

inaccuracies in the passenger manifests and the uncertainty of the

families and airline personnel waiting for word are anguishing.

Abby Janello (Gwyneth Paltrow), unaware of her husband’s last-minute

change of plans, must deal with the unknown when her husband fails to

call. When she learns of his death, she falls apart.

Flash forward. Buddy is unable to get beyond the act of giving up his

seat on the ill-fated plane. After going the alcoholic route, he sobers

up and becomes obsessed with making some kind of amends to the family of

the man who took his place in the crash.

The balance of the movie deals with personal growth and whether Buddy

should tell Abby, with whom he’s falling in love, about his role in her

husband’s death.

I liked this movie with reservation. The actors took the movie as far

as the plot and the dialogue allowed.

“Bounce” is rated PG-13 for some language and sensuality.

* ELAINE ENGLAND, 65, lives in Newport Beach and owns a gift-basket

business she operates out of her home.