The Sixth Sense

owen26134.5

Toni Collette has some fucked up kids

DirkH4.5

It's easy to make this film be about the twist.Or the fact that there are so many cleverly hidden clues.Let's not talk about that. Let's talk about the fact that this is one of the most beautifully constructed and deftly told ghost stories ever made.I am convinced that Shyamalan is more a storyteller than a director. With this film, which basically put him on the map, he shows that he knows, loves and understands storytelling. It is a shame that along the way, with his later efforts, he seems to have convinced himself that he is a great director as well. It seems that the bigger the budget, the more apparent his flaws become.This is absolutely not the case here. Here he is challenged to do a lot with a little. Which results in him making it all about the story and the atmosphere, two essential things in a ghost story. This film is drenched in an almost claustrophobic otherworldly atmosphere. It is impressive how Shyamalan manages to treat us to some truly horrific and tense scares without ever resorting to the cheap tricks so often used in films like this.What Shyamalan also understands is that all ghost stories are about human connections. And that is central here. There is real heart in the conversations between Willis and Osment and Willis' backstory. It is about emotional connections, guidance and acceptance. All key ingredients in all the great ghost stories. What makes it all the better are the performances. Willis gives one of the best performances of his career, but the true star here is Osment. The gravitas and depth he gives to his role is truly impressive and carries the film. Story is everything. With twists or without, it doesn't matter. And this story deserves all the praise in the world.

mulaney4.5

me: knows that malcolm is deadmalcolm: is deadme: [white_guy_blinking.gif]