239. Old; movie review

 

 

OLD

Cert 15

108 mins

BBFC advice: Contains sustained threat, strong violence, injury detail

Whatever you may think of M.Night Shyamalan, the release of one of his movies has become an event.

However, he finds himself forever reaching for the bar he set with The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable.

Old certainly has its moments - the final 15 minutes or so have similar levels of surprise to his classic films.

But there are also jarring scenes because the key characters make dim decisions or have stunted emotional reactions to tragedy or horror.

Old's main focus is a dad (Gael García Bernal) and mum (Vicky Krieps) who take their kids (Alexa Swinton and Nolan River) on a luxury holiday before a separation.

They are dazzled by the resort and respond positively to the kindness of the manager (Gustaf Hammarsten) who recommends they visit a beautiful, secluded beach.

Immediately, however, they realise they will not be alone when another family (including Rufus Sewell and Abbey Lee) are on the courtesy bus with them.

Later another couple (Ken Leung and Nikki Amuka-Bird) are added to the mix just as the drowned body of a young woman is found.

It soon becomes clear to them all that not only do people age at an alarming rate on this beach but that there is no easy escape.

Emotions are heightened as both physical and mental frailties come under scrutiny.

As said, Old is not without its issues - Mrs W and I agreed that those on the beach would be even more hysterical than Shyamalan draws them and there are glaring continuity errors.

But we were attracted by the originality of its concept and the surprising twists which are the hallmark of the director's work.

Wisely, he keeps the worst horror away from the screen, so we are left to use our imagination.

This may put off those who want to see piles of fake blood but, in my opinion, intensifies the tension.

And, of course, in common with Shyamalan's previous films it looks good - an attractive cast compliments a stunning backdrop.

Reasons to watch: An M. Night Shyamalan event

Reasons to avoid: Questionable continuity

Laughs: None

Jumps: One

Vomit: Yes

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 7.5/10

Did you know? Born in Pondicherry, India, to obstetrician Jayalakshmi Shyamalan and cardiologist Nelliate Shyamalan, Manoj Nelliate (which he later shortened to M. Night) Shyamalan was expected to have a future in medicine. 

The final word. M. Night Shyamalan: ""It was risky to shoot it at that moment because it was hurricane season in the Caribbean. In fact, our sets got destroyed by a hurricane, and we built them up again, and we were very lucky that second time they stayed up." EW.com

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