I probably don’t have to say this, but I will just in case. MAJOR SPOILER ALERT! In fact, it may be the biggest one in cinematic history. If you’ve never seen M. Night Shyamalan’s signature piece “The Sixth Sense” stop reading this immediately, turn off all forms of media, and go watch it fresh. I actually envy you. You’re in for one of the more compelling and chilling horror stories ever created.This review is coming from someone who has watched the movie – and whether or not it translates as worthwhile once you know the ultimate result of the story.
In the fall of 1999, the Shyamalan blockbuster was the thing to see when it hit in theaters. And with no internet trolls or mobile social media spoilers, I was able to watch it at the historic Uptown Theater in Utica, NY, several months after its release, and still be shocked by its legendary twist ending. Try to remember 1999. There was no 24/7 web presence. In fact, it would be impossible for a movie like “The Sixth Sense” to work in today’s world.
Shyamalan has been hit or miss with most of his films. I tend to like his work more than others, but there’s no denying the impact “The Sixth Sense” would ultimately have on thrillers, movie endings, and Shyamalan’s own career as a filmmaker, for better or for worse.
The first win for the story is the locale. Set in Shyamalan’s hometown of Philadelphia, the backdrop is a chilly and gloomy northeast city in the fall, menacing with its giant buildings and cold faces, and complete with historic backdrops and architecture, it’s simply a perfect choice.
Bruce Willis plays Malcolm Crowe, an award winning child psychologist who puts career above all other interests, including making his own loving wife Anna (Olivia Williams) take a back seat to his work. Anna describes Malcolm as gifted in his abilities to work with and connect with the troubled children he counsels.
There was no bigger name in 90s cinema than Bruce Willis – who stared in blockbusters such as “Pulp Fiction,” “The Jackal,” and the sequels in the “Die Hard” series to name just a few. Willis displays his dynamic range in the role of Malcolm Crowe. While devoted to his work, Malcolm loves his wife, though sees that his near obsession to the profession has left her isolated and alone.
Malcolm’s charge is 9 year old Cole Sear – a socially awkward introvert who has traumatic issues. The pair first meet in a neighborhood church where Cole displays a fraction of his oddities; speaking Latin with his toys, wearing glasses his absentee father left that are devoid of lenses, and displaying ominous defensive scratch marks on his forearms. Cole mistrusts Malcolm, advising him that he wont be able to help him with his ambiguous problem, though slowly warms after a handful of meetings.
Where Syhamlan makes the movie great is the devotion to Cole (Haley Joel Osment) from the onset and the issue that he has, which Cole himself experiences but is not revealed to Malcolm or the audience until midway through; Cole has the sixth sense – the ability to see and communicate with dead people, who are around him all the time. The reveal alone is an infamous scene in the world of movies, and Haley Joel Osment is so great it will send shivers down your spine as we join in his terror.
The slow build is something Syhamalan employs with many of his movies, such as “The Village” or the found footage flop “The Visit.” An early scene with Cole and his mom (played by Toni Collette) with an awesome steady cam is the setup for the rest of the story. Is there a ghost in the house or is the kid just a nut? We are left to our own conclusions – for the time being.
While the twist ending is what everyone lauds the movie for, don’t let that overshadow a great film. The acting is outstanding on all fronts with no weak links, and the scares and creep factor are real. An early scene depicts a former patient of Malcolm’s (Donnie Wahlberg) in a terrific role as he confronts his counselor with the eerie question “Do you know why you’re afraid when you’re alone?”
We also see a handful of subtleties intentionally inserted as clues to the ultimate twist, but lets be honest, if you don’t know how it ends you’re shocked when the reveal occurs. And if you say you knew all along, I challenge that you’re lying.
“The Sixth Sense” holds up well nearly 20 yeas after its release. It’s a great movie, whether you’ve seen it before or not. I still envy those that haven’t.
by – Matt Christopher
