Shyamalan introduces himself to the world with a bang

Rating: 8/10 (2 February 2011)

In 1999 director M. Night Shyamalan introduced himself unto the world with The Sixth Sense. With this film we were introduced to Shyamalan's twisted, dark, and yet highly creative mind. We got a taste of his skilled storytelling ability wrapped in his tight artistic direction. We also discovered the man's knack for twist endings. And what a twist it was. The Sixth Sense really focuses on two characters and their relationship. One is Bruce Willis' character, Dr. Malcolm Crowe, who is a psychiatrist whose current patient is a disturbed little boy named Cole Sear, played by Haley Joel Osment. Crowe makes it his mission to help this boy, while at the same time he is trying to cope with his deteriorating personal life. It's emotional, thrilling, disturbing, and beautiful all at the same time. It's really not like anything you've ever seen before.
Now sadly, I already knew about the shocking twist ending going into this film. You can't talk about movies for seventeen years without someone spilling the beans. But that didn't make the film any less enjoyable. The movie is great without the twist, but the twist and the end really adds a whole new level to the film. It changes the face of the film and when you get right down to it, it's what makes the film so unforgettable. That and the famous, "I see dead people," line. However, everything else in the film's story is great. It is something so unique and haunting that it really gives this film a different feel than most horror or thriller films. The film is also paced very well in the most somber and low key way. This movie has a hypnotic quality to it. The emotional prowess of the film mixed with some very chilling moments sets it apart from anything else.
One thing so remarkable about the film is the great equality in talent of the two leads, despite the age difference. Bruce Willis is as good as ever in this film. His quiet, somber attitude gives the film its mysterious feel. Eleven year old Haley Joel Osment drives the emotion of the film and puts forth an astounding performance. His character and his performance isn't a typical child actor role. His character is a very strange one with a wide range of personalities as well as maturity levels. He is undoubtedly a kid but there is much more to him than meets the eye. Toni Collette plays his mother who is another very important character and her performance doesn't quite reach the levels of Willis and Osment, but is very good nonetheless.
Towards the end of the film I began feeling like it wasn't really going anywhere. I sort of began to forget the goals of the characters in the film and I felt like it was losing its footing. But as these feelings began to escalate the twist occurred and the film ended, leaving me very satisfied. I can't help but wish that there would have been a little more clear cut direction towards the end of this otherwise great film. There is also a lack of resolution in the film. It isn't something I hated, but I couldn't help but notice. The film feels like it is lacking a well rounded ending until the twist. And while the twist is remarkable and it ends the film very strong, it doesn't account for everything. The Sixth Sense got a little bit tripped up towards the end, but not enough to ruin everything else great about the film.
The Sixth Sense is a very different kind of film and I was very happy with it. It is unlike anything I've ever seen. The look and feel of the film doesn't line up with the subject matter, but not in a bad way. A movie about a disturbed little boy who sees dead people could have easily been a cheesy slasher with corny lines and characters. But instead Shyamalan made it into something much more sophisticated and beautiful. This isn't a loud and action packed film. It's something much different, and much better. I was very impressed by The Sixth Sense.