Signing off in style

Rating: Null/10 (17 May 2000)

Cole Sear has a problem - he sees dead people. Dr. Malcolm Crowe has a problem - Cole Sear sees dead people. Oh, and he has another problem too - his relationship with his wife has soured. Malcolm helps Cole come to terms with his problem, which in turn helps him, Malcolm, come to terms with his own. Cute, no ?
Well, that's how the movie opens; somewhat slower-paced than one would have liked, and even bumbling and incoherent in spots - like the kid Cole messing about the dead girl's house. Also, the scene where Malcolm talks to the kid about the state of his marriage seemed a lot like the conversation between the kid and the old man in "Home Alone". A gnawing fear had begun to creep in at that point that this was turning into another ghastly "feel good" movie.
Luckily, the surprising twist in the end more than made up for all that. Hard to tell whether the movie bungles initially because the director just couldn't help it, or because he wanted to lull the viewer into tedium before delivering a solid parting punch. Either way, it packs quite a wallop with that ending.
For first time viewers - do not switch off (except to make out) because the movie began to get boring. I did, and I now feel like I have to see the movie again to appreciate some details (and to nitpick on some others).