The Man Who Heard Voices

Or, How M. Night Shyamalan Risked His Career on a Fairy Tale. Or, The Man Who Refused to Hear Voices would be my take on the subject after I was done with the book. Either the writer, and Night who obviously read the manuscript, intended or not, Night comes off as a pampered star writer/director who refused to listen to others about script problems, production problems, post production problems, etc, while he risked his reputation and career, if not his money as he originally planned. I would say that's the surest indicator of his gut instinct on his own material that he passed on the opportunity to finance this movie for more profit. Either that Warner Bros. who financed the film was too eager to work with Night that made sweeter deal than what Night got from Disney. Regardless of money, so-called The Valentine's Day Massacre, as Night tells his break-up with Disney, is the stuff of gossip that warrants the publication of this book.

First of all, I had a big problem with the writer's constant change of perspectives narrating this story. He kept switching 3rd person to 1st person perspective, especially when he was 2nd guessing Night's inner struggles. He either became too close to Night or rushing to publish this book from his notes for the movie's release. The lack of focused perspective made a jarring, disjointed episodes that almost resembles the chaos of making this film.

Therefore, the book is only enjoyable for some esoteric tales involved in this movie production. Wild crazy Christopher Doyle, Cindy Cheung's struggles to get the part and acting in her first studio gig, Paul Giamatti's heroic effort to stay grounded, and M. Night Shyamalan's bout with doubts of his story ever since he parted from Nina Jacobson over 'creative difference.' Obviously the breakup cast bigger shadow than Night expected over the course of the production and you now know who is finally proven 'right.'

The book does end odd way, perhaps trying to shake off the inevitable disappointment, despite the favorable scores from selected preview audience. The book does offer a glimpse into how Hollywood system works, how studio production works, and how even a prodigious writer/director wrestles with constant self-doubt. Its tale offers more insights as a cautionary tale rather than illuminating examples of a high-profile production that's gone awry.