Shyamalan's sixth sense!

Rating: Null/10 (10 February 2002)

Writer/director M. Night Shyamalan (who was born in India and whose real name is Manoj Nelliyattu Shyamalan begins his career with the making of two minor films: Praying with Anger (1992) and Wide Awake (1998). In spite of its seemingly low-quality structure, these two films have a certain rank of importance, as they were to announce Shyamalan's third film: "The sixth sense". Considerably, this new film has had some influence from its predecessors. Unlike the first two films, "The sixth sense" becomes an instant hit all around the world AND Shyamalan's breakthrough in the film industry. But the success of this film is not just because of the appearance of famous actor Bruce Willis; who was given a leading role. There is so much more going on.
For example, the directing of the film. Shyamalan uses the same, remarkable technique Hitchcock came up with 50 years ago. They both manage to let the camera create the sinister atmosphere ... which is of such importance in a thriller. The cinematography of this extraordinary film is absolutely perfect. Although Hitchcock may be a more impressive director, Shyamalan's camera positioning is still quite exceptional.
Besides the directing of Shyamalan, "The sixth sense" also provides beautiful acting performances. Bruce Willis gives his best performance ever. His acting has improved by the years. Toni Collette may not be a well-known actress, but her performance as the mother of this special kid is touching. But the greatest acting comes from the smallest actor. At the age of 11, Haley Joel Osment stuns the world with what appears to be one of the greatest performances ever by a kid.
But a good film is more than a great director and great actors. It also implies an original story and that is exactly what "The sixth sense" is all about. Notice also how Shyamalan uses spiritual elements in his films. This film and the one before ('Wide Awake': a story in which a child is searching for God after his grandfather died) were both mystical and religious.
"The sixth sense" is, without doubt, an exceptional thriller and his next film 'Unbreakable' is to prove to the world that he can do it all over again; that it wasn't just beginner's luck.