Great film, but definite holes in plot

Rating: 6/10 (22 October 2002)

First I would like to say that this is a great film. Secondly, I Would like to say to everyone out there who says that The Others is a Copy of this film has no concept of reality. The Others was written before this film was, so that argument can be put to rest right here. I really think this film is great, and if it didn't have the major plot holes that it does I would have given it a much higher score then I did (6/10). I have always been a fan of Bruce Willis, regardless of what is said about him I feel he is one of the better actors of the past 2 decades or so. I feel, however, that Haley Joe Osment puts in the best performance here. I don't see his career amounting to much of anything, but I think this single performance will wind up haunting him for the rest of his life because honestly, he will never grow out of it in the eyes of the audience. I feel Haley makes this film creepy, and keeps the suspense stirring throughout. I can see why Toni Collette got no nods for her performance here. Besides the scene towards the end in the car with Haley, I feel she does a below par job in this film. ***CONTAINS SPOILERS*** Ok this is where I feel the film lost a lot of luster. There were some pretty big plot holes. Everyone who hasn't seen it yet don't read on until the end of spoilers. How can malcolm not realize he is dead until the end of the film? Where does he sleep at night? I mean doesn't he realize that his wife isn't talking to, or even looking at him at all? I know they say in the film that the dead only see what they want to, but how does he explain this to himself? The other thing that really turned me off at the end was when cole had told Malcolm earlier in the film that the room becomes very cold when an ill-tempered or mean spirit enters the room. Well then why was malcolms wife freezing in the last scene when he was the only spirit in the room? He certainly didn't seem that angry to me. ***END OF SPOILERS*** Those spoilers are the reason the film goes from an 8 or 9, to a 6. There are some great scenes in this movie, and the concept is exceptional, I just wish they had tied up those loose ends. I also question the message of this film. It definitely comes off as a suspense/love story. I think anyone who likes this film will love The Others. Some people will disagree, but only because their attention span is limited. The plot to that film has zero holes in it, and is just as creepy and suspensful as this film. Overall this film is still definitely worth your time, and should be checked out!