Permutation City Blog

Does this fit under fantasy? This may not be a sophisticated film but it is a funny film. There are lots of excellent characters to enjoy. Most of them recognisable from your standard western but not quiet as you've seen them before. Really there are too many funny moments to mention. Towards the end the film drifts into the surreal and bizarre.

This was my first introduction to Shyamalan's work and I was impressed. Haley Joel Osment puts on a superb performance as Cole Sear, a troubled 9 year old. Bruce Willis was excellent as his doctor, Malcolm Crowe, showing that he is quite capable outside the action genre. I didn't pick up on the plot twist until just before the end. Re-watching it since you can see the fine balance between what you are meant to believe and what is actually happening.

For me this paints a bleak, if interesting, future in a world driven by advances in genetic technology. I wouldn't want to live there, not that I'd be allowed. The main character must struggle against this every day of his life. A world with similar regulation and divisions in society can be seen in Code 46.

I really enjoy this film. I like films with time loops but this does it best. Phil Connors goes through many emotional changes in the film: confusion, desperation, madness, indulgence, dispair, acceptance, and enjoyment. The early stages of the film are obvious but what would it really be like to live the same day over and over. Especially when you get to your 100th day or your 1000th. The end is a bit cheesy but I don't really care.