Director: Jerry Zucker
Starring: Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze and Whoopi Goldberg
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actresses in Hollywood have achieved the appreciations of Whoopi Goldberg. Ever since her rise to stardom in the 1980’s, Goldberg has become a celebrated icon. Whether it’s women that wear colour purple, ghost figures or cruel hyenas, Goldberg has portrayed several strong characters. Arguably, Goldberg’s best strength as an actress has often been her commitment. She is one of those rare actresses that always poured both her heart and soul into each role. Shining bright light in darkness, Goldberg has become a beloved figure in the entertainment business. An African-American icon which has built a lasting legacy, Goldberg has produced many strong movies which deserve recognition in the film industry. Through her capabilities to play powerful characters that are compelling, Goldberg has created a legacy that is lasting. Throughout her long-lasting career, Goldberg has created several unforgettable movies that are absolutely without any single doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Goldberg and admire all the movies she has made in her career. However, “Ghost” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 1990, Goldberg’s movie has stood a test of time as a romantic classic. Packed with breathtaking production-design, phenomenal storytelling and engaging acting, it’s one of the best romantic movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Whoopi Goldberg, who embodies a psychic assisting a tormented woman which is haunted by ghosts. Ultimately, what makes “Ghost” a captivating romantic classic is its heartfelt message. The film delivers a strong message about grief that will resonate with everyone. Unlike most films about ghosts, it tackles strong themes which everyone will relate to. A remarkable romantic classic about ghosts, there are several strong reasons why “Ghost” is a film that’s definitely worth seeing.
“Ghost” tells the story of a couple haunted by a frightening ghost following a painful murder. Demi Moore portrays Molly Jensen, an artistic woman which has always had love for crafting pottery. Molly has always been madly in love with boyfriend Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze), a successful investment banker. Molly and Sam love spending time sharing passion for pottery together. However, Molly’s romance is forever shattered when Sam is mercilessly murdered. Left emotionally devastated, Molly struggles to move on from the death of a lover that she has always appreciated. Molly’s grief only worsens when he is haunted by the ghosts of her lover. Seeking to get rid off the ghost, Molly searches for assistance from a famous medium psychic. Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg) is a skilled psychic which has experienced in dealing with terrifying ghosts. Faced with a dilemma, Molly begins to question whether she would ever be able to recover from a death which causes her lifelong trauma.
Jerry Zucker is a newcomer to the stories of ghosts. Before he directed “Ghost”, Zucker had never produced a movie that captured ghosts. Zucker was best known for directing movies in the slapstick comedy genre such as 1980’s iconic “Airplane!”. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture lives of lovers haunted by supernatural ghosts, but he succeeds. Using bold cinematography, Zucker captures a woman embarking upon a journey haunted by ghosts that cause tragedy. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes which is as gorgeous as the ghosts that materialize. Zucker effectively uses montages capturing the bonds between lovers that are haunted by frightening ghosts. For instance, montages elevate the pottery scene. During this unforgettable scene, Molly and Sam form strong bonds together before his murder that causes disaster. One appreciates montages capturing strong bonds between lovers which are impacted by ghosts. Montages are tricky techniques to use expertly in films. As Steven Spielberg’s “The Colour Purple” demonstrated, montages elevate classic literary adaptations. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Zucker captures frightening ghosts that have an impact on the lives of women grieving.
Another admirable aspect of “Ghost” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Zucker effectively uses set-design to capture a psychic with the abilities to talk to ghosts. Throughout the movie, Zucker uses colourful set-design to capture the life of a psychic which communicates with the dead. For instance, set-design elevates the psychic reading scene. During this memorable scene, Oda Mae Brown engages in an intense psychic session calling the terrifying spirits of a ghost. One admires gorgeous production-design that captures the lives of ghosts that experience a decline. Through gorgeous production, Zucker captures tension faced by women haunted by ghosts that frighten. Moreover, the musical score is superb. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing heavy burden that women that are haunted by ghosts bear. Through phenomenal production design, Zucker captures ghosts causing lives of couples to decline.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Ghost” is a captivating classic that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses symbolism to capture the lives of lovers which are haunted by ghosts. Zucker’s screenwriting strength is capturing the lives of women which are haunted by ghosts that are frightening by symbolism. Throughout the movie, the ghost of Sam becomes a strong symbol of grief which impacts Molly. The ghost indicates the emotion of grief that people facing loss experience. For instance, the symbolism of the ghost elevates the murder scene. During this heartfelt scene, Sam is killed in the alleyway leaning behind a ghost which is terrifying. One appreciates the symbolism of the ghost capturing the hardship that grieving women are facing. Symbolism is a tricky technique to employ in movies. As Rob Reiner’s “A Few Good Men” claimed, symbols enhance courtroom dramas. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a bold screenplay, Zucker captures lives of women haunted by ghosts which experince a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Whoopi Goldberg delivers one of her greatest performances as Oda Marie Brown. Goldberg achieved appreciations for playing legendary literary characters in book adaptations. With “Ghost”, however, she took on her most iconic role. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a grief-stricken woman haunted by the ghost of her lover causing tragedy, but Goldberg pilled if off successfully. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charming and thought-provoking in her most commemorated role. Goldberg has always had an aptitude for conveying strong emotions by emotional monologues, and “Ghost” clearly showcased her strengths as an actress. With mesmerizing expressions, she captures angst, desperation and trauma of a psychic that has the one-of-a-kind ability to communicate with ghosts. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actresses which is working in the film industry today.
Demi Moore is magnificent as a woman that grieves the loss of her lover she has grown to adore. While Goldberg gets the showier role, Moore is equally excellent as a woman facing an emotional toll. Moore has always been one of those actresses with aptitude for conveying strong emotion through her expressions, and “Ghost” demonstrated her strengths. Whether she’s grieving the loss of her boyfriend which she loves dearly or communicating with a psychic that’s terrifying, Moore effectively uses her strong expressions to capture a woman that’s grieving. It’s a role which gave the actress a chance to showcase her strength for playing grieving characters. It’s a strong performance by one of the most talented actresses working today.
The final, most notable standout in the cast is Patrick Swayze. As the frightening ghost of a deceased lover, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Ghost” will earn the appreciations of everyone for capturing the emotions faced by individuals haunted by deaths causing grief. Unlike most movies about ghosts, it discusses universal themes that everyone would relate to. The film discusses strong themes including identity, death and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with supernatural themes in order to appreciate it. Therefore, “Ghost” is one of those rare movies about ghosts everyone will adore.
Fans of Whoopi Goldberg will definitely enjoy “Ghost” and so will movie-goers which seek warm entertainment. A captivating romantic classic, it celebrates the legendary legacy of an actress that is iconic,
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about heartbroken women grieving the devastating loss of their lovers haunted by ghosts that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following through her one-of-a-kind abilities to portray characters which are compelling whose engaging movies are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 