Movie Title: A Ghost Story
First Watch / Repeat Viewing
Running Time: 1 hr. and 32 min.
Rated: R
Who did I watch with?: Flying Solo
Where did I watch it?: Home
Review:
A Ghost Story is a love story that transcends time. The movie opens with C (Casey Affleck) and M (Rooney Mara) cuddling together on the couch and enjoying domestic life. C has a home recording studio where he makes music a la The Postal Service. They have purchased a new house and are debating whether or not to take the piano that came with the house. They hear strange sounds in the house that you know will come back to be important. The next morning C is killed in a car accident while pulling out of the driveway.
C returns to the house as a ghost wearing a plain white sheet. C stays at the house and observes his wife although he is unable to interact with her. Ultimately, she leaves. She places a note within a door frame that C spends an enormous amount of time trying to get too, as other families move into the house.
The way A Ghost Story was produced makes it compelling rather than hokey. It is not shot in widescreen and the format makes it seem like the screen is perpetually narrowing as the movie progresses. The director David Lowery favors long shots that move subtly and demonstrate small changes. The costuming of the ghost itself is incredibly emotive for a plain white sheet. On first arrival it appears fairly ominous, but proceeds to display a huge range of emotion without ever altering the sheet. The camerawork is fantastic and makes for an incredibly atmospheric movie. The music is beautiful both in the ambient form and the music produced specifically for the movie. Dialogue is minimal. The ending is satisfying though I would have like a little more.
Verdict:
It is a beautiful movie about love and loss told in a unique way. See it.
Tomorrow’s Movie: Rushmore (1998)
