Sixth sense
The scene opens with full screen
titles, unlike Face off and Se7en which use overlay titles and a montage
sequence. This suggests that the film may be more of a psychological thriller
rather that an action thriller. The opening titles are quite slow, which builds
up the tension but doesn't connote action. There is classic white, serif font
on a black background which slowly fades in and out as they move towards the
front of the screen; this implies that this will be a psychological thriller
again. The eerie and supernatural feel is reinforced by the opening slow paced
orchestral music.
The first shot is a close up of a
bulb turning on, the use of a close up shows the bub with more detail as it is
turning on which creates a certain mood in the audience as they do not know who
or what else is in the room. From the start is unclear to work out where the
location is set, as we have only seen a light bulb slowly coming on and a shot
through a wire rack, this adds to the mystery aspect as we don’t know where we
are. However, they are given clues by
the fact the light bulb is on its own with no cover over it. This makes the overall
setting seem unwelcoming and makes the audience feel apprehensive. We then see
a long shot through the wine rack. This gives the idea that someone or
something is in the room watching the woman. This makes the audience feel very
uneasy. A tracking shot is used when she is looking for the wine which makes us
feel as though every move she makes is being watched, showing she is in danger.
The use of shadows and chiaroscuro lighting creates an eerie tone in the scene
and makes us feel on edge, shadows also give us the idea again that something
is watching her.
We then have an ellipsis edit to
them celebrating his award in the living room of the house. At this point the
scene seems very relaxed with shot reverse shot as they engage in conversation
about Bruce Willis’ awards. We learn that he is a very professional
psychologist as he has just won a major award for his work, we also learn that
he has put his work over his wife, this could potentially show us that work is
his main priority over anything else which is a typical thriller convention as
in most thrillers the main protagonist always puts his job first and always
makes sure the job is done right, this is emphasised by John Travolta’s
character in Face Off. There is a cut to
a long shot outside of the room on the stairs, this gives us a feel that
someone is watching them, and something is about to happen.
There is then another ellipsis edit
to the psychologist and his wife going to hang the award in the bathroom. We
see a medium close up as their non-verbal codes change and become shocked as
they see that their window is broken. The built up mysterious non-diegetic
music as it climaxes as the audience realise that they have been broken into
gives the scene a sense of danger. There is then a cut to someone walking out
of the bathroom who turns out to be an ex-patient of the psychologists. The man
seems very disturbed, we see this as he has stripped off down to his underwear,
we instantly get the idea that he is very deranged. There are several shot reverse
shots between them as we get the feel that everything is calming down as shot
reverse shots usually show a good relationship between two people. Just as the
audience believes everything has calmed down the mysterious, disturbed man
shoots the psychologist, as the man goes to shoot himself there is a tracking
shot until he is off screen, this is to show that the audience are to focus on
the psychological element of the film, not the action part of the film. We cut
to an overhead shot as Bruce Willis’ character
is bleeding on the bed, this is to show the full extent of his injury.
There is then an ellipsis edit
using overlay titles to state the next fall. We see an establishing point of
view long shot of the house the psychologist is observing, this is done to set
the scene. From the establishing shot we see a tight packed, well organised,
clean community, we see that there are several flats/apartments. This is not a
general convention of a thriller as thrillers are typically set in chaotic,
busy cities. There is a whip pan to imply a point of view shot as the child we
presume he is working with exits the house. We then see a tracking shot of the
psychologist as he is following the child. As Bruce Willis’ character is
following the child we see that it is a set in a city, which is a convention of
a thriller. The child enters a church with red doors, this connotes death and
that a murder could possibly happen in the future.
In The Sixth Sense our protagonist
is not the general protagonist you would find in most thriller films. He is a
psychologist, not someone who works for the law like most thrillers. Although,
he is a highly respected psychologist, being played by Bruce Willis he has many
of the qualities we’d expect from our protagonist. Todorov’s theory is
represented well in this film as it goes from a peaceful celebration with his
wife, to an attempted murder which is the most typical equilibrium and
disruption. There are other typical conventions of a thriller, the use of
chiaroscuro lighting and shadows create a supernatural feeling. The eerie sound
effect also add an element of mystery.
Bruce Willis is the typical actor
who would play the protagonist in thrillers due to his features such as gender,
age and looks.
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