The Sixth Sense, written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, was released in 1999 nominated for six Oscars, winning thirty-one movie awards and receiving thirty-seven movie nominations. Other films directed by Shyamalan such as Signs, Unbreakable and The Village, all in the thriller genre, deliver a unique style of mystery built on suspense and create thought provoking enigmas. The Sixth Sense however, I find particularly interesting because of the methods of cinematography shown to give clues that answer the enigmas created.
As the film begins, the cinematography clearly states the roles of characters depicting who will deliver the storyline and play an important part in creating enigmas. To begin with, a medium close up of a female character as she enters a dark basement, captures an emotion of anxiety from being alone. This follows the stereotype of women being dependent of a more dominant figure in order to feel safe, this is an indication that the narrative is in need of a hero. It’s at this point she enters another room and sits besides the established hero, her husband Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) who, through mise-en-scene’s character positioning, his higher pose shows his importance within the storyline. Malcolm is introduced as a highly educated and successful child psychologist living with middle class status. But when the mood changes when he and the female representative find their house has been broken into, his expected heroic qualities are questioned. It’s at this point in the film a minor villain is introduced, Vincent Grey (Donnie Wahlberg), a patient of the doctor who he failed to help. The cinematic technique used in this scene is where enigmas are created. Why and how did he fail him? As medium close-ups of Vincent capture anger, vulnerability and tormented emotion of his character, the audience are aware of his unpredictable nature. This conflicts with the audiences expectations of Malcolm, which is supported by the fact that this disturbing character addresses him as ‘Hero’ with an expression of disappointment. As close-ups capture Malcolm’s uncertainty of the situation, the audience now feel doubtful toward the protagonist. Suspense is created engaging the audience by the slow pace and the low toned score music of violins climbing higher in pitch as he gets closer to recognition. As the outraged character lives up to his expectations he surprises the audience by shooting Malcolm. This leads to the major enigma. Is Dr. Crowe our potential hero after all?
Cole sear (Haley Joel Osment) is then introduced to the narrative perceived as emotionally troubled and socially awkward as the audience read this information off Dr. Malcolm’s papers. Cole’s secret is that he has a sixth sense enabling him to see dead people. His anxiety is shown through his rapid movements and fast tempo, high pitched score music which is similar to the music heard when Malcolm shows uncertainty with his encounter with Vincent Grey. The long high angle shots illustrate him as inferior to his problems which establish him as the victim of the film. The use of cinematography and sound used, causes the audience to have no faith in this character, but as the film progresses we are assured of his ability.
Following the theme of an investigation where the hero must uncover a series of enigmas to uncover the truth, development of the film raises new enigmas for the audience. Enigmas such as: Why is this highly professional child psychologist finding it difficult to help this child?
Clues given to the audience provide many connotations and reveal more than meets eye. For instance, anyone who can see dead people has a grey streak of hair. As grey hair is commonly seen in elderly people who are often associated with wisdom, this connotes the further knowledge these people have with their sixth sense of seeing ghosts. Other clues such as special effects showing breaths of cold air and light marks in the presence of ghosts can also be seen, but it’s the use of the colour red that is most significant. Red is a colour of love, passion and comfort, however, red can also be associated with anger, pain and even extreme negatives such death. Although communication with the dead allows contact with the living to share love, this connotes that all those with the sixth sense are in danger of harm due to their ability. With this, the theme of religion can be interpreted as Cole takes refuge in a church with immense red doors. The idea of protection from harm under the watchful eyes of God creates a safe and hopeful atmosphere which is accompanied by the bright lighting.
The effective use of light in this film brings out the chilling conventions of a thriller well as it creates suspense and builds tension. For instance, within the first three and a half minutes of the film, the high key moonlight shines through the window forming a shadow. The effect of the figure formed conveys the narrative theme of supernatural existence.
As the film progresses further enigmas are created such as: What’s wrong with the relationship between Malcolm and his wife? Despite the constant clues of him feeling ignored by her, the use of the colour red and the fact that he doesn’t change his clothes, it’s only at the end of the film the twist reveals that Malcolm is dead. As his wife drops his wedding ring that he believes to be wearing, the information is made known to the audience through flashbacks of scenes that give clues to the mystery. For example, flashbacks of Malcolm at confused moments at changes made against him accompanied by the colour red. Also, a flashback of the scene where Cole confesses his secret telling Malcolm ghosts don’t always know they’re dead. The effective editing here shows the audience Cole solving the mystery and answering the major enigma created at the beginning of the film: Is Dr. Crowe the hero? Cole’s expected role of the victim is misleading as he is actually the hero in this narrative, surpassing his characteristics by helping someone who didn’t even know they themselves was a victim. The cinematic technique of viewing Cole through high angle shots ensuring his assumed role as the victim now becomes the common view of Malcolm.
(Alex Christian)
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