The Sixth Sense Review
Written by: Venomous Nightshade
Words fail me right now. Tears caress my cheeks as I remember the effect this movie has on my emotions, it stuns; breaks my heart to watch, no matter how often I see this film.
The story begins with Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) a child psychologist, arriving home with an award for his efforts in the field, only to be confronted by a former child patient who is still traumatized by past events. A shot rings out.
Enter a few months later when Crowe meets a child with the same traumas as his previous patient, who states he can see dead people. As Crowe's relationship with his wife fractures, he vows to help the child whilst the boy's mother frets at what is happening with her son. Then as the end appraoches, the truth reveals itself...
I clearly remember the first time I saw this and each time I return to the movie I learn something new that I hadn't seen before. But one thing about this particular film that stood out for me was how the plot was so much more unique than I have seen in a long time.
It was refreshing to see a movie that moves, scares and makes you question where the film is headed and that is the quiet genius of this film.
Bruce Willis as Dr. Malcolm Crowe plays a role that was rightly made for him. A guy emblazoned as the action hero in many movies instead turns his hand to a movie filled with heart and darkness and makes the role his own. It's an attribute that such a well known actor can change his projective and make us believe in what he alone feels. This is the moment where Willis turned into a character I could only bring myself to love.
Haley Joel Osment as Cole Sear, the boy seeing things and afraid of himself, is a refreshing and redefining move for such a young actor with promise. His heartfelt performance makes the ambience of the movie ease along with gentleness and grabs our heart in the process. Not many kids could have pulled off the feat he did.
And lastly M. Night Shyamalan produces his finest movie that will ever be. With evocative music that soars and captures the soul, that makes us yearn, he touches the essence of the movie. The lighting is done with great aplomb and strokes the breadth of the movie.
Of course now everyone knows what the twist in the film was but it doesn't detract from a movie that although is steeped in darkness and ghosts, uses surprisngly little gore and yet still rivets and blinds us.
The actors all did a wonderfully job with the roles given including Toni Collette (Cole's mother: Lynn Sear) and Olivia Williams (Anna Crowe) who are adept and unabashed in their roles. Daring to believe and be different they make us ache tenderly for how they feel.
If there is a downside to this movie it will be the occassionally slow pace but given that the movie grabs you hard and doesn't let go it's hard pressed to see much of a fault in way of the movie and slow moments go by gracefully and gently.
Wonderfully scripted and acted with such heart this movie is a treat for any movie goer out there and if you have yet to see this, take the time out to watch it. If you have seen it watch it again to remind you of what the movie offers.
A Beautiful haunting movie that touches the heart. It is quite simply stunning.
-Elle-Louise