M. Night Shyamalan, the director, has made films that are full of tension and always at the edge between reality or fantasy over the years. The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable, Signs and the Visit, as well as the recently released Old, are excellent examples of this. They present disturbing and suggestive atmospheres and demonstrate all the director’s skill in making this his strongest work. Lady in the Water, a 2006 film that marked the start of a new phase in the director’s career, is one of his least-respected and least loved works. (here the review).
It is a psychological thriller. The director had written the story for his children. Lady in the Water: A bedtime Story was published to coincide with the movie’s release. This work has fairy-tale undertones, and focuses on the purpose and role of people in their lives. Good and evil will face each other through the same twists and turns that the director is familiar with. The film received a poor reception from critics and the general public. It was even nominated to the Razzie Awards.
Lady in the Water is a film that, despite its shortcomings, seems to be quite misunderstood. The director’s style allows for reflections that are not original, but still have a certain charm. It will be helpful to look into the key curiosities before you embark on a visual vision of the film. Continue reading to learn more about the plot and cast. The main streaming platforms that have the film in their catalogue will be listed as well.
Lady in the Water: The plot of the movie
Cleveland Heep is the film’s main character. Heep works as a maintenance worker at a Philadelphia residence that has a swimming pool. He notices that someone is using the pool during the evening, which is against the rules. He hears noises from the pool one night and sets out to find the mysterious swimmer. But he slips on the edge of the water, hits his head, and falls unconscious in the water. He wakes up to find a young, naked woman sitting next to him in his bedroom. She turns out to be Story, a Narf, a type of nymph from “Blue World”.
The mysterious girl is tasked with inspiring a great writer, which will help improve humanity’s future. The Scrunt, a fierce, wolf-like creature, is trying to kill the Nymph before she can accomplish her task. The nymph will need the assistance of many people to help her return to her world. Each person will have a different function. Heep embarks on an unpredicted adventure full of dangers and mystery that will take him to unexpected places and his traumatized past.
Lady in the Water: The cast of the film
Paul Giamatti plays Cleveland Heep. He is an actor best known for his films Sideways, Cinderella Man, and Barney’s Version. Shyamalan had first listed the actor as the protagonist. He immediately accepted the role with enthusiasm and especially liked the script. Oscar winner Kevin Costner was also considered for the role, but Giamatti confirmed that he was available before Costner could be reached. In the role of Story, the mysterious woman, Costner is joined by Bryce Dallas Howard.
The actress is best known for her roles in films such as Jurassic World and The Help. Lady in the Water was her second collaboration with Shyamalan. She had previously starred in The Village. The film also features Bob Balaban and Jeffrey Wright as Harry Farber, Cindy Cheung as Young Soon Choi, and Jeffrey Wright as Mr. Dury. Jared Harris, who plays the role of Goatee Smoker, is a notable inclusion. M. Night Shyamalan made an appearance in the film as usual. Vick Ran is his writer.
