Ghostlight is the story of a grieving father finding an unexpected outlet for his pain on the stage. Art being used to express intense emotion that was thought to be inexpressible isn’t really an uncommon concept. Acting has been used as a metaphor for all sorts of feelings. The refreshing thing about Ghostlight (112 minutes, without the end credits) is how honest and forthright it is, when it comes to both the hurt these people struggle with every day and the freedom of releasing it in performance. This isn’t a movie about acting; it is a movie about taking a step forward, when that is the most difficult thing in the world. This is a beautiful story.
Dan is a construction worker with a loving wife and a rebellious teenage daughter. They are all barely hanging on after a shared trauma a year earlier. Dan refuses to discuss what happened, either running away or erupting in anger whenever the topic is broached. After an incident at work, he is approached by a local theater group who need someone for their production of Romeo and Juliet. He reluctantly joins leading to some challenging moments, and hopefully a bit of catharsis for his whole family.
The screenplay by Kelly O’Sullivan (who codirected with Alex Thompson) is so pure and unafraid in exploring the emotions of these three people suffering from tragedy. Dan is a man’s man, scared to expose himself in the play. His daughter, Daisy, who has enjoyed performing in school plays, acts out because she feels like her parents don’t allow her to talk about what she’s going through. His wife, Sharon, is trying hard to be the strong one, but is only just keeping it together. The movie slowly unspools their backstory, which would be unfair for me to delve into here. It is more natural this way, coming out in organic dialogue, forcing them to confront what Dan does not want to deal with.
The play gives him the opportunity to be vulnerable, be around people who don’t know his life and pretend that he is someone else for a while. Since he is kind of embarrassed by what he has stumbled into, he keeps it a secret from his wife and daughter, making him seem even more withdrawn from them. There is some conflict there, though it is to the movie’s benefit that this conflict is resolved rather simply. That gives extra room for character development, as opposed to contrived drama.
As good as the writing is, the performances are just as impressive. Keith Kupferer as Dan, Katherine Mallen Kupferer as Daisy, Tara Mallen as Sharon and Dolly De Leon as Rita, Dan’s Romeo and Juliet costar, are all fantastic. Dan is a guy who keeps his emotions hidden (besides anger), so displaying vulnerability, even while pretending to be a fictional character, is uncomfortable for him. Keith Kupferer finds that balance of showing an (in his words) “old school” man terrified of the feelings eating away at him and a kind, caring, husband/father. He is very good.
Out of the main cast, Tara Mallen has the least to do, but she does the most she can with it. Sharon doesn’t get a big arc; hers is mainly in the background. Yet her dramatic moments, based around her concern for her loved ones, hit every time. Dolly De Leon’s Rita is kind of the other side of her. A former professional actress now doing it for fun, she sees through Dan’s shell to a soul who needs encouragement. Their friendship is sensitive and moving, even without any grand gestures.
The one who really surprised me is Katherine Mallen Kupferer as Daisy. She has the broadest character, injecting a little humor and the most emphatic emotions. There could have been a tonal issue there, but she is absolutely tremendous at going from an immature girl who’s mad at her parents to a human being dealing with deep sadness to a young woman finding joy where she can. Daisy could have been a caricature, however, the younger Kupferer makes her truly touching.
Ghostlight is quite the understated achievement. It is smart, thoughtful, full of pain and hope, and completely captivating. I am glad there is still room in our fractured entertainment landscape for a film this tender. It is a lovely wonder.
4½ out of 5
Cast:
Keith Kupferer as Dan
Katherine Mallen Kupferer as Daisy
Tara Mallen as Sharon
Dolly De Leon as Rita
Directed by Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson
Written by Kelly O’Sullivan
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