There are films that grab you by the gut, and then stick with you forever. Ghostlight is one of those films. After a horrific tragedy, a father finds peace with a community theatre group.
Ghostlight
If I can convince you to see any film this month, it will be Ghostlight. Written by Kelly O’Sullivan and directed by both O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson, Ghostlight, which made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, stars Keith Kupferer, Katherine May Kupferer, Tara Mallen, a truly talented acting family, along with fellow actors Dolly de Leon, Tommy Rivera-Vega, Hana Dworkin, Alma Washington, Hanna Dworkin, and Deanna Dunagan.
Dan (Keith Kupferer) is a construction worker who is dealing with stress, extreme grief, a rebellious teenage daughter, and a lawsuit that is coming up soon. His wife, Sharon (Tara Mallen) and his daughter, Daisy (Katherine Mallen Kupferer) are attempting to deal with their own grief, but Dan has built such a wall around his , that there is no way that he can heal. The cause of the grief (which is not mentioned immediately) is so palpable on the screen that it becomes as real as the actors themselves.
After Dan gets into a confrontation with a rude motorist, he is approached by Rita (Dolly de Leon) She asks Dan for help and then leads him into a dark theatre. The little theatre group needs someone to read the part for Lord Capulet for their upcoming production of Romeo and Juliet. It is within the safety of this ragtag group of amateur actors that Dan finally reveals the reason for his grief.
Conclusion and Spoilers
The story of Romeo and Juliet is not a romance story. It is a tragedy. A tragedy that we often hear about in the news when young people commit suicide. Dan, with the help of the theatre group, plays different roles, including that of Romeo. It is the role of Romeo that helps Dan heal from the tragedy that has destroyed his family
Grief is a hard emotion to use as a ploy to get an audience to watch a film, but Ghostlight has so many surprises that unfold in front of us viewers, and we find ourselves drawn into the grief, and the healing. We viewers become part of the theatre group in spirit and solidarity
On a personal note, I thought that I had successfully dealt with the unexpected death of my husband. I thought that after four years, I had it under control. I did not. I did what Dan did. I hid my grief under layers of activities, but it was still there, lurking. My daughter has been suggesting therapy and I refused because I thought I was fine. After watching Ghostlight, I think I will take my daughter’s advice. The film is that good, that beautiful, and that healing.
Ghostlight is in theatres now.