Shyamalan's The Sixth Sense

Encouraging the human race to look beyond what the eyes see, Shyamalan’s The Sixth Sense leaves its audience pondering the truth about reality. After being shot by a previous patient, children’s psychologist Dr. Malcolm Crowe experiences the opportunity to make up for his failed attempt to treat his gunman when he was just a boy. Another young boy, Cole, becomes his next subject. Sparking Dr. Crowe’s interest with common traits to that of his ex patient, Cole pleads for treatment for his condition. After revealing that he can see dead people, a skill that has caused him to be bullied, Cole and Dr. Crowe are able to work together in order to better understand his connection between life and death. Communicating with the other side proves difficult

The change in frame allows people watching to focus more and more on Cole and Dr. Crowe’s exchange of words. It adds an intensity that medium shot cannot express. Cole’s glassy eyes and heavy breathing convey his true emotions towards his never before said skill. His eyes act as a door into his soul which appears far too terrified for a young boy like Cole throughout the film, but especially in this scene. Not to mention, the never broken line of eye contact between Dr. Crowe and Cole. The two never let the other escape the conversation despite its pain. A necessity for Cole’s survival, the revealing of his secret allows for a new period in his life to begin. The pain he feels in this scene won’t last forever thanks to Dr. Crowe, the determined psychologist. Throughout the plot turning scene, both of their faces are shown in low key and high key lighting manners. Cole’s right side of his face, barely lit, communicates his dark, frightening secret while his left side,well lit, displays his innocence as a young boy. He didn’t decide to take on this talent and yet he suffers through it every day and night. Meanwhile, Dr. Crowe’s face exhibits his dark past with Vincent and his hopefully bright future with Cole. He has good intentions of clearing his past and truly cares about finding

Implementing different lighting, Shyamalan created an intriguing film that engages its audience in its characters’ lives throughout the plot. Whether he highlights many features with high key lighting or just one with low key lighting, he keeps viewers focused on the film as they become emotionally a part of it. Similarly, the way in which he utilizes different framing techniques emphasizes certain people or objects while engrossing those watching with intense emotional triggers. Both Cole and Dr. Crowe are filmed in a manner that contributes to the story as a whole. Dr. Crowe, both innocent and dark, attempts to rid Cole of his horrifying pain and Cole, grants Dr. Crowe the opportunity to redeem his mistake with Vincent while searching for a way to escape the nightmare his life has become. Accentuated by Shyamalan’s genius way of writing and directing, this film portrays an unparalleled depiction of the connection between those living and those who have passed. He encourages the audience to think about each human being as an individual who may not be just as they appear. Many things go unknown in life and humanity can’t disregard all that the past has to offer the present as well as the future. Cole and Dr. Crowe accomplished goals together that they never could have alone. The Sixth Sense establishes a bridge