Excellent thriller -- intelligent, touching, rewarding

Rating: 10/10 (7 July 1999)

I saw this at a preview screening, but in June, when the effects and music were in place and the final cut was available. This is the best ghost story I've seen since Robert Wise's classic THE HAUNTING. It's smart and very moving, while still having the requisite thrills. It doesn't cater to the "jump out and yell Boo! every six minutes" theory of thriller, but it has a number of genuine shocks (and a fabulous twist toward the end). Bruce Willis is wonderful - subdued and intelligent in his best dramatic performance since IN COUNTRY. And Haley Joel Osment is simply superb as the haunted Cole. He never overreaches or overacts. He simply experiences and reveals. It's one of the best dramatic child performances I've seen in years. If you liked THE INNOCENTS or THE HAUNTING or even GHOST, I highly recommend this film to you.