Another wet tee-shirt contest

But I'd rather chill with the old lady from Titanic

Lady In the Water

Starring: Paul Giamatti and Bryce Dallas Howard

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Rated: PG-13

With significant financial resources, modern flare, vintage elements, and wacky creativity, M. Night Shyamalan creates a messy concoction with his recent feature Lady in the Water. Perhaps this eclectic mixture is the young director's attempt to channel to the Olsen Twins' signature style, but we all know they haven't been looking particularly chic lately. The story centers on a clash between two worlds, reality and fantasy, generating a series of events that are designed to alter the course of the universe. Set in an apartment complex, Shyamalan weaves the various and colorful residents into his plot, focusing on Cleveland Heep (Paul Giamatti) who discovers and protects the Lady (Bryce Dallas Howard).

Shyamalan sticks to some of his signature techniques, but don't get excited for any sort of showcase of Philadelphia. The courtyard apartment building looks like a dated cast off from Boca Raton, Florida. The only hint of the City of Brotherly Love comes in a quick reference from the animal control officer. Equally disappointing is the director's decision to cast himself in a significant supporting role, bringing the Hitchcock tradition he has be known to mimic to a whole new level. Fortunately, a decent cast manages to camouflage Shyamalan's mediocre performance. Bryce Dallas Howard is mesmerizing, perfectly encapsulating the magical nature of her character.

Although the film pales in comparison to Shyamalan's earlier works, it moves quickly thanks to cheap humor and classic horror movie scares. The frequent comic relief, which is somewhat unoriginal and stereotypical, is actually the movie's saving grace. The interactions between a Korean mother and daughter serve to patch up plot holes while delivering countless laughs. My favorite moment, however, was when Giamatti's character goes MacGyver underwater, miraculously using a pen and butter knife to save his life and rescue the Lady.

Overall, I would take the hint from the Disney executives (who should be very happy with their decision), and pass on this one too.

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