Many things in the film are red. The red indicates anything in the real world that’s been tainted by the other world. If you study the film you will realise like I have done that when there is something red it always seems as if something is about to happen. From the start of the film red things are visible, signalling that something is about to happen; for example the red cards on the mantle piece. More serious things are red during the play, like the handle to the cellar that Malcolm uses to work in, or the mother’s dress at the girl’s funeral party, or the red alter and door to the church. Also at the boys birthday party when Cole gets locked in the cupboard he is wearing a red jumper and just as something daunting is about to happen to him and before you hear voices from the other world a RED balloon pops.
The actual story is outstanding the way it’s told. It tells the story of a nine-year-old called Cole Sear who is extremely intelligent for his age. He is trying to cope with his parent’s divorce. There is something exceptional about him; he has a ‘sixth sense’, which allows him to see dead people who are sometimes seeking help.
At the beginning of the film there is a man who appears to be having a romantic night in. They go upstairs to their bedroom and a former patient of his named Vincent Cray who is very disturbed unexpectedly greets the doctor. You then realise through their conversation that when Vincent was younger Dr Crowe had tried to help him but did not succeed. There are many similarities between Cole and Vincent. They are both trying to get through a parent’s divorce. They both think they are freaks and have strongly comparable mannerisms. Vincent declares ‘you failed me’ whereas Cole says ‘ Don’t fail me’ (I think its that speech from Cole which indicates to Dr Crowe that he needs to help him and not give up). Vincent shoots Dr Crowe and you see him just lying on the bed in a pool of blood.
Then the scene ends and a new scene begins where Dr Crowe is walking down the street. It’s at that point in time that you just assume he has recovered from the shootings but that’s not correct, as he actually didn’t survive. The whole way through the film your mind still plays along with the fact that he is alive. Dr Crowe tries to help Cole whilst having a distressing time at home. This is because he is dead but Malcolm and the audience think that its because he is not spending enough time at home with his loved one; that he is always busy working.
Once Dr Crowe had helped Cole (he did this by explaining to him that all the ghosts needed was help). Cole listened to his advice, which was proven correct.
After this Malcolm Crowe discovers that he is in fact dead and has to leave. He has to go and say his goodbyes to his loved one so she can be left in peace to get on with her life. In the film this scene is shown quite emotionally and also a very hard time for Malcolm, which is obvious, it would be.
The film uses very clever photography to show how old the city is. The camera also zooms in and out on key scenes to emphasis each characters certain emotions, so their facial expression is really visible and obvious to get certain points across to the audience. The camera also does extreme close ups that fill up the whole screen to focus your attention, e.g. a close of the bottle of anti-depressant tablets that belonged to Malcolm's wife. Also pan shots are used quite frequently to follow Cole around especially when it’s a daunting scene. A pan shot is also used when Malcolm is in his house and finds out he is dead; the camera follows him everywhere to show every move he makes. Furthermore, long shots are used to establish scenery and reveal surroundings. A good example of this is when Cole is walking along the hallway of his house. The long shot used makes you have a feeling that something thrilling is about to occur. This is what the writer wants as it makes you seat on the edge of your seat wondering and wanting to know what will take place next. The various camera shoots make the film more stimulating although photography is not the only key factor to help the film be as entertaining as possible.
At numerous times during the film spooky music is used. This is particularly essential, as it is very good at indicating that something supernatural is lurking and could happen anytime. The music gives you a cold feeling and sends shivers down you spine, making your hair stand on end.
The film also uses powerful lighting and shadows to inspire and stimulate the other world with its super natural and unique happenings. Heavy shadows were used when someone was in jeopardy. For example when Cole enters the girl’s room at the funeral there are very dark and heavy shadows everywhere. Also when something chilling is about to happen dim lighting is used.
I have chosen to analyse the following two scenes because I feel that they both have an important part in the film. They both reveal valuable messages about the film and its story line.
The first scene that I’m going to analyse is the restaurant scene. I have chosen this one because if you rewatch it then you will notice many clues to show that Malcolm is dead. When Malcolm first walks into the restaurant not one person turns their head to look at him. He also is not asked where he would like to sit or if he has made a reservation. When he is sitting at the table a waiter did not come and ask him whether he would like a drink or anything to eat. Anna doesn’t look up at Malcolm and her hurt and upset facial expression does not change throughout. She looks like she’s in her own world and has a mind full of thoughts and worries rushing through her. This is because she is thinking about her anniversary and what happened at that specific moment last year. Malcolm talks to Anna about his day, without getting a response. Throughout the speech Malcolm pauses and sighs regularly. This is to show he is thinking about what to say and is feeling self-conscious and nervous. ‘(sigh) I’m so sorry Anna, just can’t seem contract the time and I didn’t have a very good session. Today I (sigh) they’re both so similar same mannerisms, same expressions, same things hanging over there heads. I think it might be some kind of abuse. Cole has scratches on his arms. I think it might be fingernail cuts defensive cuts maybe I don’t know (sigh) a teacher or a neighbour. I don’t think it’s the mother I’ve seen her with him and it doesn’t seem to fit, (sigh) or maybe I could just be wrong maybe he’s a kid that like to climb trees a lot snatches the bill (sigh) Anna I know that iv been a little distant (sigh) I know that it makes you mad. I just feel like a second chance, don’t want it to slip away Anna’. Also when the waitress places the bill down on the table it would normally be the man paying for the meal but the waitress purposely put it down on Anna’s side; literally giving it to her. When Anna says‘Happy anniversary’ Malcolm is not looked at as she just looks down.
The camera always focuses on Malcolm when he is speaking and not at Anna. The only time the camera focuses on Anna is when she’s about to leave the restaurant.
The second scene I have chosen to analyse is the hospital scene. The reason I have chosen to analyse this scene is because it’s the first time Cole and Malcolm fully communicate with each other. From this scene you learn a lot about Malcolm's problems at home and for the first time you learn about Cole’s problem and that is the main point of the film. When Malcolm and Cole are sitting in the hospital Cole looks nervous right from the start. When Malcolm is trying to tell Cole a story Cole is just constantly looking away from him as if trying to hide his face. Once Malcolm starts to tell Cole about a real life story that is about Malcolm’s home life and also about Cole, Cole looks Malcolm straight in the eye wanting to know what the ending of the story as it involves him. Once Malcolm has told Cole about his problems in story form I think it then makes Cole yearn to share his complicated dilemma with Malcolm.
‘Cole: I want to tell you my secret now
Malcolm: ok
(Long pause from Cole)
Cole: I see dead people
Malcolm: in your dreams, while you’re awake (Cole nods) dead people like in coffins and graves
Cole: walking around like regular people they only see what they want to see they don’t know they’re dead
Malcolm: How often do you see them?
Cole: all the time they’re everywhere, you won’t tell anyone my secret right?
Malcolm: No, I promise’
Before Cole shares his secret with Malcolm it appears as though Malcolm has a hidden smile as if to say he is pleased that Cole has finally got the courage to confide in him. While this speech is going on Cole breathes very deeply and heavily. This shows that he is very fearful. You can also tell HE’S very agitated and edgy on the subject. In this scene the camera moves a lot to accentuate certain feelings in the room. The camera zooms tremendously close to Cole while faint music starts to play to construct the tension of this big moment. When Malcolm answers Cole every time he speaks the camera focuses on him then goes back to Cole. Then, when it goes back to Malcolm it zooms in a bit more than before till at the end of the conversation, it can’t zoom any closer. This is to make you watch closely and listen closely. When Malcolm comes out of the hospital he says ‘pathologies more severe then originally analysed suffering from visual hallucinations, some kind of school schitsopheria medication- hospitalisation may be required’. This speech is telling us that Malcolm thinks that Cole has some sort of illness that allows him to imagine that he is seeing spirits from the other world. He thinks that Cole needs medication to help him overcome this illness. Its not until later on in the film that Malcolm realises that this is not an illness but a sixth sense.
