Unbreakable (2000)

From director M. Night Shyamalan comes a film that persistently holds the viewer’s curiosity, ‘Unbreakable’. The supernatural thriller stars Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson in the most realistic portrayal of a superhero film in a masterfully crafted film and a love-letter to the comics industry while transcending the tropes that derive from that particular genre. ‘Unbreakable’ is a captivating enigma in a film where the director’s unique vision permeates through each frame, scene and dialogue spoken that establishes an individual experience that will stay seeded in the minds of audiences long after viewing.

Bruce Willis is the protagonist of this film as a result of appearing unscathed after being the lone survivor of a train crash. The incident draws the attention of Elijah aka Mr Glass (Samuel L.Jackson) a fragile man suffering osteogenesis imperfecta. Elijah contacts David Dunn (Bruce Willis) with the intention to substantiate his theory that there is someone in the world who is the antithesis of his own, based on his unparalleled knowledge as a comic book connoisseur and collector. Both actors give an outstanding performance where Samuel L.Jackson’s charismatic Elijah coalesced with Willis’ subdued but tormented David.

One genuinely remarkable scene in the film is its opening sequence that is one long continuous shot of David on the train, through the use of imagery and very little dialogue we as the audience can ascertain his personality.

This film is a viscerally stunning experience which offers hints at the course of the narrative with genius subtlety, predominantly through the apparent use of colour such as green against purple The colour palette and a sombre dark blue filter develops a chilling tone. The aesthetics provided by cinematographer, Serra incorporated his creative vision with Shyamalan’s direction to frame shots that are enthralling. Similarly to panels of a comic book the shots are framed as if the audience is looking through or between something to truly engage the audience in the events taking place.

James Newton’s Howard’s composition of his score certifies the eerie atmosphere and strengthens the scenes in this film and persistently compels the audience and sustains the emotion.

‘Ubreakable’ serves as an origin story that gradually builds in intensity in a story endowed with mystery where in a world where audiences have watched countless origin stories stands on its own with a unique voice and a delightful cast that delves into the psychology of a realistic superhero and the world of comic books. The ‘Security Guard’ has been born, when will he make his next move?