Writer: M Night Shyamalan (Screenplay)
Starring: Bruce Willis, Samuel L Jackson, Robin Wright, Spencer Treat Clark, Charlayne Woodard, Eamonn Walker, Leslie Stefanson
Plot: A man learns something extraordinary about himself after a devastating accident.
Tagline – Some things are only revealed by accident
Runtime: 1 Hour 46 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Verdict: Modern Masterpiece
Story: Unbreakable starts when David Dunn (Willis) is involved in a train crash, everybody else on board is killed, David isn’t even hurt, not even a scratch. This leads the mild-mannered man to question if he has ever even been sick in his life, his wife Audrey (Wright) can’t remember any time either.
Becoming headline news David attract the attention of comic book collector, Elijah Price (Jackson) who believes the two men are on the opposite scale of a gene defect. David discovers that he is stronger than he could ever imagine and decides to start risking his life fighting crime.
Thoughts on Unbreakable
Characters – David Dunn is a security guard, his marriage isn’t working out and then he becomes the sole survivor of a train crash. Making himself front page news he tries to get back to his normal life, only to have attracted the attention of Elijah, he discovers just what he is capable of, being stronger than he could imagine, though he does have a weakness, water. Elijah Price has lived his whole life knowing that if he was to get hurt, he would most likely break a bone, he was branded ‘Mr Glass’ at school, he has grown up to study comic books which led him to the conclusion that if he can get hurt easily, someone else wouldn’t get hurt. Audrey is he wife of David, she is going through rough times between the two, she is willing to start again as neither had done anything that could ruin a relationship. Joseph is the son of David, he wants to see just how unbreakable his father is after seeing just how strong he can be.
Performances – Bruce Willis showed us here in a role with little dialog that he can give us a character that is meant to everyday man, who would be someone you wouldn’t notice, become the most interesting person on camera. Samuel L Jackson gives us an amazing role here where delivers his line in such a cold calculated manner it is disturbing on the second viewing. Robin Wright gives us a wonderful supporting performance that is just as withdrawn as Bruce’s, while Spencer Treat Clark complete the cast bring the youthful enthusiasm required.
Story – The story here plays into the human elements of the superhero concept, we have the idea that we have an unbreakable man and one that breaks easily meeting and learning their place in a human superhero story. The story does show us just how people will not know what they are capable of until they get pushed to the limits which is clearly how David’s story unfolds in this film. We are waiting through the film for the M Night twist which wasn’t such a big thing when this was released, but his reputation means you are waiting for one, which will leave you in shock.
Mystery/Sci-Fi – The mystery in this film comes from us learning just what David is capable of, how has he gone this long in life without knowing more about his own abilities, the sci-fi elements are a lot subtler as they look into real life abilities people could have that would show evolution.
Settings – The film is set in Philadelphia even if it does have a bigger concept to what is going on, the idea it could have been set in any city is the big thing about this film.
Scene of the Movie – A handshake.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – Comic Book store and the camera angle looks like a set rather than a shop.
Final Thoughts – This is one of best modern movies that involves the ideas of superheroes without being a comic book superhero film. it will keep you on edge from start to finish just grabbing your attention through the film.
Overall: Must watch mystery.
Rating