Synopsis -
"Beginning in Central Park NYC, people are effected what is first believed to be a neurotoxine causing people to behave irrational, even to the point of suicide. But then the survivors start to uncover signs that it's not terrorists, but nature itself spreading this virus: yes, it's nature against men. And nature is winning."

91 min
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Writer: M. Night Shyamalan
Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel and John Leguizamo
Certificate: 15
Sci-Fi / Thriller
20th Century Fox
Estimated Budget: $48,000,000


My thoughts:
I have to agree with the critics when they give it a lot of negative feedback. The film is terrible, if it wasn't for the fact it was written by M Night Shyamalan I don't think it would ever have been made. One critic even said.. "The Happening makes you wonder whether Mr. Shyamalan's own switch may have been flipped. How else to explain his film's befuddling infelicities, insistent banalities, shambling pace and pervasive ineptitude? "- Wall Street Journal, 2008

The story could be better, but it is a unique idea and I actually believe that had it been written and directed properly, it could have been a great concept. M Night Shyamalan wouldn't want to give us a shock by releasing a good film though, would he..?

In my opinion, the films makes for a good watch purely for a laugh at Mark Whalberg's close up shots - very over dramatic and awfully written dialogue = so funny. Zooey Deschanel's character is also rather strange, it's like the actors just don't fit into the film and can't play the parts, but both of these are excellent actors, if you've seen them in anything other than this you will know what I mean.
If you're expecting this to be remotely scary or make you jump, look elsewhere, because this isn't the film for you.

If you're thinking of becoming a screenwriter, you should give this a watch and take notes, because it's everything you should never do.