The Happening

A catastrophic 'event' hits New York's Central Park area: people suddenly stop in the middle of what they are doing, then walk backwards and start stabbing or shooting themselves. If it had just been the scriptwriter of this film affected by this, that would have been OK, but it's far more infectious, and soon the entire American northeast is affected. Overloaded and already laughing about the absurdity of the first scene, we are launched into a classroom where biology teacher Elliot Moore (played by Mark Wahlberg) teaches his kids a valuable lesson: there are random events in nature which we will never fully understand.

Well folks, that's it. I just spoiled the entire movie for you, because no matter how hard you try, you are given so little else to puzzle with, that any other explanation is ruled out almost immediately. The puzzle film turns into a typical paranormal disaster film with the occasional allusion to puzzle films. For example, why does time seem to stop and then play back a few seconds whenever 'the event' happens? For no reason, apparently, for the film continues with no temporal loops, temporal reversal or forking paths beyond these frequent occurrences (which last only 10 seconds, then the person affected kills himself). Another short detour into complexity takes place at a house where everything seems to be frozen still, but is soon revealed to be just the director pulling our leg, when the characters exit the house and pass a sign which reads "Model Home". This film has no frozen time, just plastic.

None of that would be a major problem if the uncanny mood surrounding the incomprehensible happenings would keep us hooked. As it happens (see what I did there?) it does not. Mark Wahlberg's usual wooden-puppet acting is clearly exposed through horribly-written dialog, and he puts a tone in his voice which makes you feel that perhaps he is the big fake behind it all. But he isn't, instead he is just the perfect son-in-law who, through this ridiculous plot, gets a chance to regain the love of his wife, played by the (ever freaked out or teary-eyed) Zooey Deschanel. Just look at that screenshot: that's her facial expression for most of the movie when she isn't crying.

But what's a paranormal thriller without a morose and oddly gifted kid who rarely talks? I mean, the list of examples ranges from The Shining to the Sixth Sense and even Triangle hops on this ride (the main character's kid is autistic). The producers of this film must have thought just that, and completed our all-star cast with the addition of Ashlyn Sanchez as little Jess. Contrary to the normal plot-critical role such a child usually has in complex films, this kid really does nothing else other than motivate the motherly and fatherly instincts of our heroes: "Jess needs a snack and a 10 minute break" is enough motivation to forget momentarily about the oncoming apocalypse and visit a nearby house for a little R&R.

In short, this film creates big expectations with its title and its moments of temporal freezing and reversal, but never bothers to explore any alternative timeline or loop in depth. What remains are the things we would easily forgive such a film if its complexity carried it: wooden acting, cheesy romance, random disaster made personal through the portrayal of individuals caught in it, and the family as the cornerstone of American society.