DVD Recommendation Split Starring James McAvoy
Writer/director M. Night Shyamalan tackles Dissociative Identity Disorder in his latest thriller, Split, starring James McAvoy. Shyamalan captures some of his former magic with Split, which was a huge box office hit earlier this year. McAvoy portrays the title character, Kevin Wendell Crumb, who exhibits at least 23 personalities and is in the care of Dr. Karen Fletcher (Betty Buckley), a psychiatrist who has great empathy for Kevin because of his challenges with serious mental illness. The illness is allegedly the result of child abuse and the many personalities are Kevins way of dealing with his pain. Some of the personalities are more dominant that others, while one is kept at bay for reasons that will be revealed late in the film.
In the opening scene, Kevin kidnaps three teenage girls who he believes have led charmed lives and have not suffered like he and so many others have. His plans are muddled because of his other personalities who have varied reactions to the terrified youngsters. As a result of the kidnappings, Kevin makes several emergency calls to Dr. Fletcher for help, but she does not appear to understand just how troubled Kevin and company are until it is too late.
In the hands of James AcAvoy, the lead character is believable and tragic, not monstrous and/or cartoonish. McAvoy delivers some of his best work to date and has great material to work with. I was a bit skeptical about how the events would play out early on, but Shyamalans screenplay adds a very interesting, cerebral and important element that elevates this film above the average thriller. Betty Buckley is also quite effective as the good hearted psychiatrist who sincerely wants to help her patient, but does not suspect the potential power of his mind and the damage it is capable of inflicting. Split is an extremely well acted, written and directed thriller that will likely become a series of films based on its box office success and creative prowess. However, if McAvoy does not return in the lead role, it would be best to let this be a stand alone effort.
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