 | The Sixth Sense Starring: Bruce Willis, Olivia Williams, Haley Joel Osment, Donnie Wahlberg, Toni Collette |
September is an awkward time in Hollywood. Vacations are over, schools begin, the day to day existence of life's boredom begins again and all of those great summer "blow 'em ups" and computer designed effect movies geared toward the preteen market have made their millions, and box office sales come to a sudden halt. It is a time when the marketing experts reflect on films collecting dust in the dark shelves of hidden vaults. These are known as preconceived "flops" and so judged by the empty suits high above the clouds in Hollywood's treacherous towers. Everyone knows that the "biggies" set to compete for the Oscars can't be released until mid to late October, so it's time to dust off these perceived disasters to see if they can at least show a return on the dollars spent . . . any return. Something strange happened in September 1999. Shock waves are still being felt throughout the town. A small independent film called The Blair Witch Project slipped quietly into theaters and became a huge success. One of the top five box office hits in the country for four weeks. Produced for only $35,000 this sent studio executives dashing from one plush office to another shouting "Impossible! What do we do?" "If they want horror. . . let's give them horror!" was the reply, and all throughout Tinseltown the "gofers" we're searching for shelved horror films in dark, dank dusty cellars. "Hey, remember that Bruce Willis film where he doesn't play an action hero? It was called 'The Sixth Sense?' I found it!" "Is it a horror film?" the mighty ones asked. "I think so." "Release the turkey, quick," was the demand. The deed was done and September 1999 broke all box office records. History was being made. People actually went to the movies in September. "The Sixth Sense" was followed by Stigmata, which was followed by Stir of Echoes, all in the horror genre. People were standing in lines to see these films. Why? The powers that be in Hollywood are still scratching their heads in disbelief. Could it be that most of these films were well-crafted quality films? No, of course not. "The Sixth Sense" is a rather simple story. Eight-year-old Cole Sear (played impressively by Haley Joel Osment) has a terrifying problem. He sees dead people. All the time. Frightened of being this reluctant channel he is approached by a famous child psychologist, Malcom Crowe (Bruce Willis). Dr. Crowe has already screwed up badly with a former child patient who wound up blowing his brains out after attempting to kill the good doctor. This tragedy knocked the mighty psychologist off his highly acclaimed pedestal and left him humbled and determined to help poor Cole. If he can cure this troubled child he feels that he just might redeem his arrogant mistake. Even if the film was bad (which it isn't) Willis has finally proved that he can most certainly act. Quiet, humble, and lacking in confidence, Dr. Crowe is obsessively trying to uncover the truth behind this troubled child. Eventually Cole begins to trust Dr. Malcolm Crowe and they become trusting friends. Excellent writing and a dark haunting cinematography leave one with a slight uncomfortable feeling throughout the entire film. One is never sure where this story is going. Toward the end, when you get the feeling that the director is attempting, unsuccessfully, to bring it all together and tie it up with a nice, neat bow, you're suddenly stunned (like getting whacked in the head with a hammer) with an ending that left this reviewer speechless. This is not a horror film. It is dark and more than a bit unsettling to be sure. "The Sixth Sense" is not a great film but it is well written, acted, and directed. I can assure you that you will never forget the ending. It is still in the top five box office hits through September. Perhaps Hollywood might get the hint that a quality film will bring the public to the theaters . . .even in September. |