The Sixth Sense (1999)

Like many films, talking about this one will spoil it for you if you haven't seen it. It's awesome. Even if you know most of the story, you will still be thrilled and mesmerized by this film. The script is almost perfection. But it is the acting that truly makes this film a masterpiece. Bruce Willis is phenomenal. This should be a career changer for him. Sure, we have always liked him, and he has often done a very fine job in mainstream Hollywood films. He's even done some indie type stuff that was worthy. But, no, you don't understand. Willis takes this film and turns it upside down on it's head. He's already got a great script, and a superb young costar; Willis does not waste this. This is the film that should define him for years to come. His subtle downplay, his delicate brooding quality, his middle-agedness, it all adds up to a latticework of character development, which Willis dishes out perfectly and effortlessly. Acting of this caliber hasn't been seen in a Hollywood film from a Hollywood actor in years.

As for his young supporter in the film, Haley Joel Osment is nothing short of the heart to Willis' hole, the Ying to his Yang. The two work a mystical mesh like well oiled cogs in a perpetual motion machine. There may be no film for Osment without Willis but there certainly is no film for Willis without Osment. Only a handful of actors could have done a job equal to Willis, none could outshine him. Stalwarts like Tom Hanks or Jeff Bridges might have been up to the challenge of this role. But I defy any one to come up with a more perfect young actor for the role of Cole than Osment. Not Rufas Read, not even the unflappable Lucas Black could deliver what Osment does here. There will be those who will try to negate his work in this film. They are blind fools.

Yes, I know; I usually do not like films where children are put in danger. And anyone who knows anything about this film knows that it is a deep psychological thriller with elements of horror in it involving a child. But the film would not work if Osment's character were grown. It is vital to the script that he be a young child. In films like "Jurassic Park," the dinosaurs can chase anyone. It is just as gripping and nerve-wracking when they pursue adults. When they hunt kids, it's sick. It's a cheap scriptwriter's ploy to make us care about what happens to a character. Rather then give us exposition to make us care about their character's fate, the lazy and worthless scripter will simply make them children so we AUTOMATICALLY care what becomes of them. In "The Sixth Sense," Osment's character is as fully drawn through exposition as Willis' is. Yes, there are a couple times where the film goes to far and exposes us to much too much of the child's horrific nightmare, but it is necessary for us to understand exactly how profound and disturbing this youngster's existence really is. We have to go there. And we are shocked not simply because Cole is a child (the same scenes would be just as disturbing with an adult protagonist), but because these scenes tie into a particular realm of fantasy that is typified by childhood nightmares. We empathize with Cole because we still find these visions disturbing as adults. When we fully realize the frightening aspect of this child's existence, it sends our senses into hyperdrive and the conclusion of the film becomes all the more breathtaking because of this. Like "The Exorcist," the film is made all the more disturbing because it is a child involved. This film tapped into some of my childhood nightmares and left me uneasy and disturbed when bedtime rolled around in my lonely, quiet apartment. I did not sleep soundly after watching this film and my fear of dreaming the same nightmare that the child here supposedly lived only furthered my restlessness. I was afraid to dream. "The Sixth Sense" owes it's all to Writer/Director M. Night Shyamalan (What's up with that?) It was said that Willis read the script one night and called his agent the next morning and told him he had to have this role. After you see the film, you will know why. Note: Also with Toni Collette and an unrecognizable Donnie Wahlberg.

Score by James Newton Howard.

Report Card

Script: A+

Acting: A+

Cinematography\Lighting: A+

Special Effects\Make Up: A

Music: A-

Final Grade: A+