Drama / Thriller / Horror / Mystery: yes, all that, but without all those silly FX

Rating: 7/10 (3 March 2003)

I nearly did not watch this one as I see no future in Bruce Willis categorized as one of those he-men in so-called action films: Seagal, Schwarzenegger, van Damme, Lundgren, Willis and the ilk are patently for underdeveloped fourteen-year-olds. Fortunately several things caught my eye on IMDb and
It has been years since I last saw a film which might vaguely be categorized horror thriller which so held my attention, indeed so many years that I cannot even recall its title. Evidently Bruce Willis did not do this film for the pay-cheque, as he put all his heart and soul into it, such that he was not just simply bearable but very acceptable indeed. I hope he will do a few more like this film and leave the bravura stuff to the chimpanzees cavorting about the place with nothing to show or tell apart from biceps and fly-sized brains. Good work here, which obviously made or broke the film.
But it is Haley Joel Osment who towers over him: an extraordinary performance from this eleven-year-old (when making the film). He has certainly come a long way since his minor rôle in `Forrest Gump', and judging by his performance in `The Sixth Sense' he has a long way yet still to go. I would have like to see more of Mischa Barton in this film, but the story would not have handled two big parts from tender-aged actors. After her astounding rôle in `Lawn Dogs' (1997) (qv) together with an incredible Sam Rockwell, I had expected - hoped for - something greater than her brief appearances here. However, this is only a small gripe, taking what the picture is worth as a whole.
During this film I uttered to my wife: but this is Oscar stuff. So I hopped up to see IMDb, and discovered that indeed the young Osment got a nomination for his rôle in this film. I am not at all surprised. Full marks, then, to Mr. Manoj Night Shyamalan for so wonderfully piecing together the parts and getting some really absorbing scenes during his story. One scene has the young boy lying in bed and Bruce Willis at his side: I assure you sparks, flew between the two actors  not just simply `good chemistry'.
Of films of this genre it is definitely one of the very very few I would like to see again.