Every summer there seems to be a film that comes out of nowhere and surprises the hell out of you (films such as Breakdown and Braveheart come to mind). Although Eyes Wide Shut and The Blair Witch Project are the summer's best films, I was pretty confident going into both of those pictures that they would be special.

Which brings us to The Sixth Sense, one of the best surprises of the summer movie season. Not that it looked bad, but then how effective can a film with Bruce Willis as a child psychologist be? Very effective as it turns out.

Willis is surprisingly restrained and very touching as a doctor helping a young boy with a terrifying secret--his ability to see ghosts on a consistent basis. The boy is played smartly and realistically by Haley Joel Osment (little Forrest in Forrest Gump) and he gives one of the best child performances in years. It's also one of the best performances of the year period. There won't be a moment where you don't feel the genuine fear displayed by his wonderful acting. Also terrific is Toni Collette (Muriel's Wedding) as Osment's single mom. She has a vulnerable quality that's just heartbreaking.

Director M. Night Shyamalan emerges as a first-rate storyteller and brings something new to this genre--sensitivity. He offers a variation on the traditional ghost story that is both creepy and compelling. Like The Blair Witch Project, this film does not use special effects to move the story. Instead, Shyamalan uses character and wonderfully eerie lighting to convey a creepy tone. These moments reminded me of Ghost, but never degenerated into that level of overt sentimentality.

The Sixth Sense also plays as an intricate puzzle reminiscent of The Usual Suspects and Jacob's Ladder. It all adds up to an unforgettable and very satisfying ending. With absolutely fantastic acting, crisp writing, and sure-handed directing, this film is one of the years biggest surprises. It's also one of the best ghost stories since Poltergeist. Shyamalan has fashioned a wonderful film with characters of depth and a story with a surprising amount of heart.