Riveting

Rating: Null/10 (5 January 2000)

Very few films have ever affected me so deeply. From its disturbing and paralyzing aspects to those that move the viewer to tears, THE SIXTH SENSE is the finest film (that this aficionado has seen) to emerge from Hollywood in a long while.
Highlights include the wonderfully subdued performance by the terribly-underrated Bruce Willis (his versatility is uncanny) and that of Haley Joel Osment--up to this point still best remembered as the son of Forrest Gump in the Academy Award-winning film of the same name, who deserves an Oscar for delivering the finest child performance in film history.
Toni Collette also shines playing Osment's character's mother.
M. Night Shyamalan, late into his twenties, shows a maturity at the helm of this production not seen from a director his age since Spielberg directed JAWS. The surprise ending--which may remain a surprise to those who have not seen the film--is indeed wonderful. Those who claim it is not that remarkable probably had watched the film *expecting* to see something shocking. A viewer should imagine, after seeing the picture all of the way through, not having been expecting a surprise at all. Only then perhaps will he truly appreciate the finale. It becomes apparent that everything that seemed unimportant in the film, is actually the most crucial about it. A film that has appeared to be, and been advertised to be, about something terrifying, turns out to be something almost unbearably touching.
Best of all, and rarely mentioned in the reviews for the film that I have read, is the contribution of composer James Newton Howard--penning a dazzling score for this exceptional picture. His score singlehandedly breathed life into the bleak future of film music (subsequent scores from the Baby Boom composers in 1999 have also been wonderful).
Overall a tremendous film that takes its time to unsettle and amaze its viewer. It seems somewhat long and tedious upon its first viewing...but this is a film that demands multiple viewings. I've seen it three times, and I could see it three more--it just keeps getting better. It will be interesting to observe how well this film ages, and how and to what extent it will be appreciated years from now.