The Sixth Sense
In the movie The Sixth Sense± visual techniques are used very effectively to signify the changing self of the characters Malcolm Croze, played by Bruce Willis and Cole Sear, played by Hayley Joel Osment. Changing self can be identified through flashbacks, camera angles and recurring motifs. Bruce Willis plays a child psychiatrist who is unaware that he is actually dead and Cole, a young boy, is the only person that can see him. Towards the end of the film, Dr Croze's realisation that he is dead is illustrated through a montage of flashbacks strategically strung together to depict the dramatic change occurring within himself. This sequence of flashbacks includes Dr Croze sitting with Cole's mother without interacting with her, as she is unable to see him. The flashback also shows the psychological change occurring in Malcolm Croze where he remembers Cole's statement They only see what they want to see±. The images of the flashback, combined with the non-diegetic voice of Cole create the illusion of Croze's psychological change becoming a reality. The flashbacks of Dr Croze graphically represent the effects of his realisation where his initial shock creates a reluctance to believe that he is actually dead. This eventually leads to
A change from the ever constant eerie music to a brighter victorious tune signifies Cole's accomplishment, as he changes from a frightened, young boy to a confident child with higher self-esteem. The one and only voice-over that occurs in the film is when Dr Croze realises that he is in fact dead. He remains in this mental state until he accepts his fate. The music in this scene not only sets the mood the responder is enticed to experience but also conveys the emotion that overcomes Cole as he finally changes into the confident, happy, young boy oppressed by the fright caused by the dead people he sees. The music in the film creates an eerie atmosphere and mood but as the characters psychologically change, so too does the music. Throughout the film, music creates an eerie mood. The voice over acts as Croze' memory and represents Croze's confusion at the sudden impact of this realisation. A technique that is equally effective as the camera angles is the recurring motifs of the church, which is one of the many things referred to by the characters. ESSAY TWO The voice-over and music of the film The Sixth Sense± are very prominent and emphasise the changes in Malcolm Croze, the child psychiatrist and Cole Sear very effectively. A low view of him initiating a conversation with Croze shows the audience that the church is a place where change occurs. Changing self is shown very effectively through these three techniques and the reaction to the change is ultimately positive. The music and voice-over may not directly tell us that a change in self exists but it implies and sets up the responder for the change. Through orchestral instruments, the mood is created and identifies the changes within the characters. This change then evokes a sense of security and fulfillment within Cole, which brings smiles and laughter into his life. When these changes occur, it is made obvious to the audience by building suspense, which is achieved through a profound crescendo and static nature of the notes being played.
Common topics in this essay:
Dr Croze,
King Arthur,
Croze Cole,
Malcolm Croze,
Malcolm Cole,
Dr Croze's,
Sixth Sense±,
Cole Changing,
Bruce Willis,
Cole Sear,
dr croze,
changing self,
actually dead,
malcolm croze,
camera angles,
dead person,
change occurring,
camera angles recurring,
angles recurring,
school reproduction,
signifies change,
school reproduction king,
angles recurring motifs,
reproduction king arthur,
help dead person,
|
Acceptance Essays
