Review of The Sixth Sense (1999) by Harry W — 09 Sep 2014

Since pop culture has made it impossible to see The Sixth Sense without knowing its twist ending, it is unfortunate that I had to go into it aware if what would happen at the end. But considering that it was the one M. Night Shyamalan film considered great, I figured it was worth the chance.

Being fully aware of the plot twist in The Sixth Sense, I was able to view it in a very different light to the many other viewers. Admittedly, it wouldn't end up laying down the same effect as if I felt the unexpected chill of learning the great secret of the protagonist in The Sixth Sense. But nevertheless, it gave me a chance to focus on a lot of the smaller elements of the film that only viewers who are completely aware of the film's twist ending would understand. I still wish I could watch the film without knowing its secret, but stuck with the situation that I had to face, I figured I should just make the best of it.

The Sixth Sense remained a good film nonetheless.

One of the strongest assets of The Sixth sense is the fact that it is strong at building atmosphere. It is able to gradually build an eerie sense of tension as its premise unfolds at a gentle pace over the course of the film's running time. It isn't hard to see how audiences would get scared from The Sixth Sense because there are a lot of chills and thrills written into its screenplay and encouraged by its atmosphere, ensuring that it grasps both a lot of original concepts and a strong style.

Admittedly, for me the film was not too scary. It had some moments thanks to the building tension of its atmosphere, but for me I had more appreciation for the fact that the film had a lot of sentimental value in terms of its story and the way it depicted the relationship between Cole Sear and Dr. Malcolm Crowe as they help each other come to terms with life and death. The bond that grows between these two characters becomes one of its most compelling elements of the story, and it was largely what kept me watching. Of course I enjoyed the supernatural elements of the story, but there was a lot more depth to it thanks to M. Night Shyamalan's sensitive directorial approach to the material which he has written with such grace. The Sixth Sense made me feel a lot of things which is what made it great, so it went beyond the surface level that many other M. Night Shyamalan films have in the past and reached an unprecedented high point for his career.

Thanks to sleight of hand from director M. Night Shyamalan, The Sixth Sense is filmed in such a way that the twist ending remains unexpected for viewers who haven't suffered because of having it spoiled by pop culture, while also in a way which constantly hints at it without making it clear for viewers who are aware of it. The cinematography and general choreography of each scene was excellent due to its style, and it helped to ensure that the twist ending of the film remained fully sensible the entire time. This is the one time that M. Night Shyamalan created a twist ending which actually remained sensible and tied into the narrative of the rest of the story seamlessly. M. Night Shyamalan helps to ensure that The Sixth sense is a strong visual experience and one with touching sentimentality to it.

And to add to the depth and meaning of the film, The Sixth Sense is further enhanced by an absolutely perfect cast.

Anyone can tell you that Haley Joel Osment's performance is the standout in The Sixth Sense. Despite his age, Haley Joel Osment has no limitations in his performance because he handles the emotionally traumatic nature of the material with a lot of sophistication and juvenile charm. His performance is incredible because he sinks into the role of Cole Sear with serious sympathy and depth which makes him a compelling presence in The Sixth Sense. He is excellent because he conveys the emotional trauma of being cursed with the ability to communicate with the dead, coupled with his troubled emotional state from having divorced parents and social awkwardness. Haley Joel Osment puts a lot of spirit and depth into the role of Cole Sear without challenge or fear, and he constantly conveys the emotional state of the character through intense line delivery and physical involvement in the emotional state of the tale, so M. Night Shyamalan is able to harness the greatest talents of him for The Sixth Sense.

Bruce Willis is also able to deliver a strong leading performance in The Sixth Sense. In one of his strongest and most character oriented performances to date, Bruce Willis is able to easily put a lot of depth into the role of Dr. Malcolm Crowe because he keeps himself appropriately involved in the material so that he has sufficient involvement in the life of Cole Sear without being overbearing in his nature. He encourages the character's sense of redemption in the story development and becomes stronger in his involvement in the material as it progresses, and he constantly delivers his lines with firm drama while maintaining his emotions on a subtle but effective level. Bruce Willis gives a very focused performance in The Sixth Sense and shares excellent chemistry with Haley Joel Osment.

Toni Collette also makes an unforgettable presence in The Sixth Sense. In one of the finest dramatic performances of her career, Toni Collette does a sympathetic job conveying the stressful status of being the mother of a troubled child. The relationship that they share is conveyed intensely through the chemistry between her and Haley Joel Osment. Her expression of emotion is strong because her line delivery is very tense while her physical involvement in the material is equally powerful. Toni Collette has no difficulty in her role in The Sixth Sense, and so she makes a notable impact on the tale.

Donnie Wahlberg is spot on in his brief part as well because he expresses the shattering emotional trauma of a broken man, and his small role in the film is pivotal and unforgettable, reminding audiences that acting talent runs in the Wahlberg family.

So although the effect of the horror in the film is somewhat diminished for viewers who are aware of its iconic twist ending, The Sixth Sense is an intense and touching horror story which is well written, sentimentally deep and acted excellently as well as probing that M. Night Shyamalan was not always the joke he has become in recent years.