The Sixth Sense

The Sixth Sense (1999)
Hollywood Pictures / Buena Vista Pictures
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
Starring Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams

The Sixth Sense is a supernatural thriller that deals with the innocence of children, remembrance, and perception. The film was directed by M. Night Shyamalan, who directed the 1998 film, Wide Awake. The Sixth Sense is a dark take with some fine acting and superior directing. Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Willis) is a child psychologist who is sent to help with a troubled child, Cole Sear (Osment). One year ago, Crowe was shot by a former patient, and now that he has recovered, he I staking Cole’s case. Cole shows the same mysterious symptoms as his former patient, and Crowe wishes to correct his mistake. Crowe knows that something is seriously wrong with Cole, but he won’t tell him. Eventually after a few unexplainable incidents, Cole tells Crowe that he has a sixth sense, in which he can see and talk to dead people. Crowe does not believe him at first, but after he proves his ability, Crowe decides to help Cole with his supernatural power and cope with his hardships.

M. Night Shyamalan proves with The Sixth Sense that he has a huge potential as a director. There is a slick sense of style in every frame. Every background, every detail is important to the shot and the story. This is a film that requires multiple viewing to pick up all the details and decipher the hidden codes. Hidden messages and surprise twists are staples of Shyamalan’s style. In this film he uses a lot of the color red, which symbolizes love or fear. In this film, it represents clues to the mystery. It acts almost like a danger symbol.

While Bruce Willis has top billing for this film, the real star is Haley Joel Osment. He is young and innocent, and gives his character a sense of sympathy and pity. At one point or another, most of us have walked in Cole’s shoes. No, not being able to see ghosts, but feeling like an outcast. Throughout the film, Cole has no friends, only his mom and the ghosts who frighten him. He is trying to fit in and find his calling; another feeling we all have. Though none of us can say that our calling is to help the spirits of dead humans, we all have a calling and it can very difficult to find it and cope with it.

In what has become the Shyamalan template, all of his films have a surprise twist at the end. Most times in films with twists, the twist is completely unnecessary and does not bond with the film. However, in The Sixth Sense, the twist is subtly built up to, and you wouldn’t even notice. Many little details that reveal the ending are minor and would be overlooked in most films. The Sixth Sense has a strong message of perception that influences the twist ending and the whole film. Both Cole and Crowe perceive the world differently. Cole is innocent, yet is fearful because of the ghosts. Crowe is bitter towards the world because of his profession and his shooting a year ago. The twist ending also signifies perception on Crowe’s part because of how his world is perceived. Shyamalan wants us to really look around us and know our surrounding because they can be deceiving. Also within The Sixth Sense is the idea of child innocence and remembrance. Many paranormal films start with an innocent child that can see the ghosts before the adults can. They are more susceptible to otherworldly objects. Remembrance also plays a large within The Sixth Sense. Most people want to be remembered after they pass away. Cole serves as a median between the natural and supernatural world. Cole is able to help these spirits and help tie up their lose ends.

The Sixth Sense is a suspenseful thriller that plays more with the mind than relies on cheap thrills. There are a few jumps here and there, but the overall horror is ability for Cole and his sixth sense to play with your mind. You feel for Cole and want him to get better or learn to deal with his ability. He carries a huge burden for such a young child. The cinematography and directing is top-notch and proves that Shyamalan could be a great director and writer. The twist ending is very surprising and works within the story, though it may take multiple viewings to pick up on all the minor details that spoil it. Besides some cheap thrills and corny dialogue moments, The Sixth Sense is a great paranormal film that plays with the mind and emotions instead of relying on shocks and jumps.

Rating: B+


July 8, 2010