The Sixth Sense (1999)

Genre

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Director

M. Night Shyamalan

Country

USA

Cast

Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams, Donnie Wahlberg, Glenn Fitzgerald, Mischa Barton, Trevor Morgan, Bruce Norris, Angelica Page, Greg Wood, M. Night Shyamalan, Peter Tambakis, Jeffrey Zubernis

Storyline

Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis), a successful child psychiatrist, takes on the task to help a terrified boy (Haley Joel Osment) who seems to be plagued by visions of ghosts. 

Opinion

Since this film has been spoiled everywhere - other films, TV shows, songs -, it has been hard to not think about the final twist for the whole film. However, it successfully managed to entertain me. A lot actually.

The Sixth Sense is fuelled by suspense, but also is has some humor, and some moving scenes - the final scene of the dialogue between the child and his mother brought me to tears, and I don't believe in that kind of thing.

M. Night Shyamalan managed to created a great mix of thriller and horror, but surprisingly the dialogue takes over on the blood, basically inexistent. The music by James Newton Howard and the ambience created by the director make the film very suggestive.

The writing is wonderful, and the final proves Shyamalan is a genius. Going back to the final twist - don't worry, I won't reveal it - it is cleverly camouflaged into the story; still paying attention to every single little detail, it is a puzzle that can be solved.

The acting. Bruce Willis gives one of the best performances of his career as the child psychologist. However, Haley Joel Osment is the real deal here. He delivers such a powerful performance as Cole Sear, the child who sees dead people. Toni Collette is wonderful as the suffering mother worried about her child.

Quotes

Cole Sear: I see dead people.

Malcolm Crowe: In your dreams?

[Cole shakes his head no]

Malcolm Crowe: While you're awake?

[Cole nods]

Malcolm Crowe: Dead people like, in graves? In coffins?

Cole Sear: Walking around like regular people. They don't see each other. They only see what they want to see. They don't know they're dead.

Malcolm Crowe: How often do you see them?

Cole Sear: All the time. They're everywhere.