The Sixth Sense

M. Night Shyamalan | USA | 1999 | 106 mins

When someone mentions the name ‘Bruce Willis', my immediate thought is white vest, gun-toting, hard action hero, smirky action hero. Whether you find that smile attractive or annoying, it is hard to forget. If you didn't know Willis was in this film then it is possible you would not recognise him. Willis plays a distinguished child psychologist Malcolm Crowe, who when we meet him is attacked in his home by a former patient. Of course he is racked with guilt when he helps Cole Sear, played wonderfully by Haley Joel Osmet, a young boy being visited by the spirits of dead people.

The ghosts leave physical marks on Cole's body which beg the question of foul play, the authorities suspecting his mother and his mother suspecting his ‘friends'. Cole is desperately trying to keep his secret from his struggling mom. SShe, played by Toni Collette, obviously concerned for her son's welfare, is being driven slowly to her wits end, not sure how to deal with the problem or even what the problem is.

Cole finally divulges his secret to Crowe leading to the all important line ‘all the time', a genuinely scary moment. Crowe helps Cole to think of his ‘gift' having a purpose which gives the film a bit more meaning and focus.

At a time of Blair Witch and hundreds of teen movies, this is a type of film where suggestion and subtlety have been used instead of special effects. Even though the script is wonderful, it would not work without Haley Joel Osmet who manages the part of the perpetually scared Cole Sear with great skill.

Review by Neha Okhandiar
Taken from EUFS programme spring 2000